Allied bands to serenade Seoul

South Korean and U.S. naval bands will stage joint concerts in Seoul and Busan on Friday and Sunday, respectively, to mark the 60th anniversary of the armistice agreement and their alliance.

U.S. seamen belonging to the Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, came here earlier this week for the concerts, which will be held at the KBS Hall in Yeouido, western Seoul, at 7:30 p.m. and at BEXCO in southern Busan at 3 p.m.

The concerts will feature a series of Korean and U.S. pop songs such as Psy’s “Gangnam Style” and Michael Jackson’s “Beat it,” as well as traditional songs from the two countries. The Korean band will also play the popular Korean song titled “Dokdo is our territory.” 

“On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the alliance, we have prepared for the special concerts through which we would also strengthen our friendship,” said Adm. Choi Yoon-hee, South Korea’s chief of naval operations, in a press release.

Among the songs to be played are “Victory at Sea,” “Symphony Party” and music from the original soundtracks of “Superman,” “Star Wars” and other popular movies.

The South Korean naval band was founded in 1946 and has since moved around the country to help boost morale among the troops and promote a positive image of the Korean Navy.

The U.S. Seventh Fleet’s band was established in 1943, and has since held concerts mainly in the Western Pacific areas including Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

By Song Sang-ho (sshluck@heraldcorp.com)