The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 5th that it will hold a pre-celebration event for the 80th anniversary of liberation titled 'We Are the Light' at Gyeongbokgung's Heungnyeemun Square with the public.
This event, scheduled for 8 p.m. on the 14th, is a colorful cultural arts event encompassing generations and classes, aimed at enhancing the joy of Liberation Day and depicting Korea's unity and future. The theme of the pre-celebration, 'We Are the Light,' signifies that all citizens who have contributed to the making of Korea over the past 80 years have been 'lights' themselves, and conveys the intention to illuminate the next 80 years together.
Top-tier artists will also participate. K-pop group TOMORROW X TOGETHER, along with artists such as Insooni, fromis_9, and Hi-Key, will perform a variety of stages.
National arts organizations including the National Dance Company, National Choir, Seodo Band, Seoul Arts Company, Historical Children's Choir, and Harmonaize will also take part, creating stages that cross traditional Korean music, musicals, choirs, and traditional arts. There are plans to enhance the richness of visual production by combining modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and media facades.
Any citizen of Korea can participate in this pre-celebration event. Those wishing to attend (the Light Companions) can apply in advance for themselves and one companion from 10 a.m. on the day until the 7th on the website of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism or the Liberation 80th Anniversary Commemorative Project Committee.
If the number of applicants exceeds the appropriate amount, the final invitees will be determined through a lottery. Individual notification messages will be sent to the final invitees.
Minister Choi Hwi-young stated, 'As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of liberation, I hope this pre-celebration will be a time for us to feel each other's existence as light and to be connected through culture, as the message 'We Are the Light' conveys,' and added, 'We will prepare diligently so that everyone can enjoy and reflect on the meaning of liberation together during this meaningful time.'