This preview article was written based on materials provided by the broadcaster.
Actor Park Bo Gum will narrate 'Documentary 3 Days' for junior military band members.
The April 13 broadcast of KBS' 'Documentary 3 Days' follows 72 hours with the navy band and honor guard preparing for 'Jinhae Naval Port Festival.'
■ the young men of the sea who open Korea's spring
The city of Jinhae, called the home port (母港, the harbor that serves as a base) of the Republic of Korea Navy. Around the time the cherry blossoms burst into bloom, the 'Jinhae Naval Port Festival,' which honors the patriotic spirit of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, is held. The city dyed in pink petals becomes a vast stage. The festival is more special because the 'military band and honor guard festival' features all the branches. This year's event is the largest ever, with 17 teams, including the army, navy, air force, marines, Mongolia and U.S. Eighth Army, totaling about 900 participants.
The main act, the 'military band,' decorates the finale with majestic music, and the 'honor guard' with precise drill. In particular, it is the year when the Jinhae base command and the navy band each mark their 80th anniversary, giving the servicemembers a special sense of responsibility. Since the event was canceled last year due to nationwide wildfires, this stage, held again after two years, has a particularly meaningful preparation period.
■ no flower blooms on its own
A few days before the event, the Jinhae base command where the cherry blossoms have yet to fully bloom. In this place of strict tension, the solemn melodies from the military band's practice room break the silence. From the clear-toned flute to the tuba that anchors the ensemble with deep low notes, passionate performances that never let you take your ears off continue. Outside the building on the parade ground, the situation is the same. Under shouts full of spirit, training to synchronize movements with no margin for error is repeated continuously.
The tension is brief; when it is break time, the atmosphere quickly reverses. Catchphrases from comedians pass around, and vacation plans are shared amid loud laughter. Offstage, they are unmistakably 20-year-old youths. But when practice begins, their faces harden again as if nothing had happened. What makes the faces of youth so serious? The spring nights of these young people, each running toward their own perfection, seem never to end.
■ bloom brilliantly, oh youth
The final rehearsal site one day before the performance. Tension runs taut over the pristine white uniforms lined up precisely. A stage allows no margin of even 1 centimeter. Because a small mistake can be remembered in the name of the entire military, they cannot let go of their focus even in motions repeated countless times. Yet today the rifle is unusually slippery, and the uniform hems keep tugging at their bodies. Can they fully bear the weight of the name their uniform carries?
At last the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the long-awaited stage begins. The hours spent to achieve one exact move, one unwavering musical phrase. What scene will the result of hundreds of repetitions of practice complete? And in a page of youth they will one day look back on, what meaning will it hold? Their respective radiant 'cherry blossom ending' unfolds.
■ a senior military band member, actor Park Bo Gum, delivers a message of support
This record of a beautiful spring day is delivered in the vivid voice of actor Park Bo Gum. Based on his experience beginning basic training in Jinhae and serving in the navy band, Park Bo Gum views his juniors' time from a closer perspective than anyone else. As a veteran senior military band member of navy 669, the encouragement he offers will add depth to the stories of those spending even brighter times in this shining season.
'Documentary 3 Days' episode 718 'Cherry blossom petals flying fanfare - Jinhae navy band·honor guard 72 hours' will air on Monday, Apr. 13, at 8:30 p.m. on KBS 2TV.
[Photo] OSEN DB, KBS 'Documentary 3 Days'
[OSEN]