The 7th New Life Concert

At the donation delivery ceremony before the concert, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah said, “I’m happy to have a beautiful night today. Sharing love with others and traveling life’s journey with others will remain as a valuable and meaningful memory in our tiring life,” and asked the participants to be good fellow travelers to our neighbors in need. Sponsor Chairman Lee Sun-jae expressed his gratitude and honor to the members, saying, “The New Life Welfare Foundation established a firm foothold in welfare work by its practical volunteer services and balanced supporting activities with Chairwoman as its central figure.”

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Mun-su praised the members, calling them the “light of the world” and the “angels of this age,” and emphasized that “the members’ love would be hope for all life.” Chief of Culture Division of Taipei Mission in Korea Cheon Yeong-chwo extended his special thanks, saying, “I will never forget that Chairwoman and all the members of the foundation supported the Taiwanese team at the 2002 Busan Asian Game and the 2003 Daegu Universiade,” and he wished the foundation constant growth. After that, Korea Youth Counseling Institute Principal Lee Bae-geun, and Seoul Social Welfare Council Chairwoman Yang Gyeong-ja valued the members’ careful concern for others, saying that they were deeply moved by that. Through a video message, Minister of Health and Welfare U Shi-min offered his congratulations on the 7th New Life Concert and asked the unfortunate children not to loose hope by remembering that their neighbors were always with them.

At the donation delivery ceremony, a total of 38 unfortunate neighbors received donations. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah delivered donations and gifts to the children suffering from heart disease, tumor, or various rare diseases; and Sponsor Chairman Lee Sun-jae to the neighbors in need, wishing this small helping hand to be great comfort to them. Besides, Min-ju, who received her heart operation and was completely recovered by the help through the past Walkathon, attended the concert and pleased all the participants.

After watching a video showing joy and sorrow the foundation had shared with neighbors, the concert started with a humorous talk of Kim Seong-hwan, actor and PR Ambassador of the foundation. The New Life Children Choir, a mascot of the foundation, danced to children’s songs and cartoon songs as the concert started; their performance presented hope and happiness to the beneficiary children and pleasure to the audiences.

After that, the foundation members Kim Jae-hun and Kim Gyu-min, vocalists Yun Tae-gyu and Lee Seung-hun (who is a PR Ambassador of the foundation) delivered the messages of love with their beautiful songs. Though it rained occasionally, the members watched the concert in good order, wearing rain coats. They waved luminous sticks and cell phones over their heads in response to the performers.

Vocalist Baek Mi-hyeon shined the concert with her passionate song, and movie actor Kim Bo-seong and actor Park Cheol also gave messages of encouragement to the beneficiaries. The atmosphere of the concert got hotter by the vocalist Kim Jo-han’s passionate performance. Vocalist Namgung Ok-bun who came hurriedly from a province to attend the concert showed her best performance despite the rain.

The concert dropped the curtain as all the performers came up onto the stage and sang a song “With Love” along with audiences. 30,000 members, who didn’t leave their seats despite the rain, wished the concert to be a timely rain of life for the children suffering from diseases.

Citizens, who enjoyed the concert nearby bus stop or on the park benches, said that it was really amazing and touching that the members didn’t leave their seats despite the rain and conveyed their love for their neighbors. PR Ambassador Kim Bo-seong gave his impression, saying, “The hot atmosphere of the concert makes me feel that Korea is still alive. I hope that more people will take part in sharing love through this event.” The distinguished guests, who kept their seats to the end, said, “It was a very impressive concert. We were truly happy. We will continue to join helping our neighbors in need.”

Jun-yeong’s father, who had had a hard time for his son’s leukemia, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for visiting us to give hope to my son. I will raise him to be strong.” He also showed his will to practice love, “I’ll do my best to give hope to the children who are in harder medical procedures than my son’s.”

In the journey of our lives, we often face trial and hardship; but only love will remain as a beautiful memory forever. The 7th New Life Concert will remain as an unforgettable memory to all the people who participated in this concert with love for neighbors—the members, citizens, guests, performers and beneficiary families as well.