Singer Lee Mi-ja is putting forth her ‘last’ effort to preserve the tradition of traditional songs.

Lee Mi-ja‘s traditional song tribute concert [Continuing the Vein] will be held on Saturday, April 26th and Sunday, April 27th at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Lee Mi-ja has prepared this performance with her respect and affection for traditional songs, and she will be performing on stage with junior singers who will continue the tradition. We will look back on the past years through Lee Mi-ja’s famous songs that have accompanied her 66 years of singing. There will also be a special collaboration between Lee Mi-ja and her junior singers.

A press conference was held on the 5th to commemorate the opening of Lee Mi-ja‘s traditional song tribute concert [Continuing the Vein]. Singers Lee Mi-ja, Joo Hyun-mi, and Jo Hang-jo attended the event.

At the press conference, Lee Mi-ja said, “It’s been 66 years since my debut, but I‘m having the happiest time of my life. “I’m very happy to be performing with junior singers who can continue the tradition of traditional pop songs,” he said of his thoughts on the concert.

He continued, “I don’t like the word ‘retirement,’ but I think it’s time to definitely say ‘the last.’ Both the performance and the album are my last,” emphasizing the meaning of this performance, but explained, “However, I want to pass on the responsibility of continuing the tradition of the pop music industry to my juniors. That’s why I don’t want to definitely call it ‘retirement,’ because I might have a chance to perform with my juniors.”

He added, “I performed at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in 1989 to celebrate my 30th debut anniversary. I’ve performed at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts the most. Since then, I’ve had commemorative performances every five years. I wasn’t confident in the 65th anniversary, so I just let it pass, but a good opportunity came for the 66th anniversary, so I’m going to perform on stage. That’s why Sejong Center for the Performing Arts is an eternal memory and a stage of attachment to me.”

He said, “A producer who did a lot of research to ensure that the tradition of traditional songs would not be lost provided the stage. I want to be with my solid juniors. Generations that lived through difficult times were comforted by songs. Traditional songs are a genre that comforted the times, and it was sad to see them disappear. There was a time when they were considered a low-quality genre. They shouldn’t be forgotten,” and expressed his expectations by saying, “I wanted to do it at least until I could stand on stage, and I got an offer at that time. I‘m happy because I think I’ll be able to finish well.”
Joo Hyun-mi, the junior chosen by Im Ja-ja, said, “I‘m grateful that she chose me and Jo Hang-jo as juniors who will continue the tradition. These days, I think the meaning of trot and traditional song genres has grown more, so I will work hard to decorate this stage,” said Jo Hang-jo, expressing his determination to decorate the stage together, saying, “I don’t know if I am qualified to continue the tradition, but I will work hard to continue the tradition of traditional songs according to my senior’s choice.”

According to Im Ja-yi, not only Joo Hyun-mi and Jo Hang-jo, but also other junior singers will be joining the stage. Im Ja-yi said, “The juniors chosen by Joo Hyun-mi and Jo Hang-jo will also be on stage. They will be the winners of ‘Miss Trot 3’ Jeong Seo-ju and ‘Mister Trot 3’.”

So, what is the appeal of traditional songs that made Im Ja-yi return to the stage? She said, “A person who sings traditional songs well can also sing any other genre well. Traditional songs are a genre that has such charm,” he said. “You probably don’t need me to explain what role our songs played during difficult times, such as the sorrow of the Japanese colonial period and the sorrow of the Korean War. I comforted and consoled them as I sang and listened to them. Since it is a genre that represents the times, I hope it won’t be forgotten.”
Jo Hang-jo also said, “I think trot is a genre for the people of the Republic of Korea. Traditional songs were created based on folk music. They are creatively added to fit the times without being distorted. Im Ja-ah and her juniors have been doing it. It is the singers’ job to further subdivide and popularize the roots.”

Joo Hyun-mi said, “K-pop is loved all over the world. But do traditional songs really have to be globalized? Everyone has different tastes. Traditional songs have distinct individuality. So I think there will definitely be people who like it when it is exposed globally,” and “If we continue while maintaining our own sentiment, we will be chosen by people who have different tastes. To do that, we need to continue the tradition. I said it grandly, but just enjoy it,” offering a unique interpretation.
Lastly, Imja concluded by saying, “A song should be something you listen to when you are happy or sad and it should remain in your memory. That’s why I want to continue the tradition of traditional songs and why I am holding this concert.”

Joo Hyunmi said, “I feel a heavy burden because I was chosen by Imja. On the other hand, I was embarrassed because I had many shortcomings. It became an opportunity for me to work harder. It is a big turning point for me as well. I hope the charm of traditional songs will be known more,” and Jo Hangjo said, “This concert is an important page in my life. There is manners in singing, and Imja is a textbook. I will continue the teachings and tradition. Thank you,” he repeatedly mentioned his gratitude and sense of responsibility, raising expectations for the performance.

Tickets for the Lee Mi-ja Traditional Song Tribute Performance [Continuing the Tradition] can be reserved from 2 PM on Thursday, March 6 through Ticket Link and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts website.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com Reporter jhj@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.