The 17th New Life Concert was held under the slogan, “Share Happiness Through Mother’s Love.” It was held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on December 18, 2016, and sponsored by Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi Provincial Government, Sejong General Hospital, and Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association. This concert was attended by Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the board members of the WeLoveU, H.E. Adel Mohammad Adaileh the Ambassador Jordan to Korea, and diplomats and their families from 20 countries. President of Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association Lee Bae-geun, President of Sejong General Hospital Lee Myeong-mook, and many other people from all walks of life as well as 20,000 members and citizens filled up the Sky Dome to share the warmth of love.
A Warm Winter Through a Mother’s Love
Mother’s love is the foundation of the WeLoveU’s activities. Just like the love of a mother who gives everything to her children, the WeLoveU sends support and comfort generously to the neighbors in need through various volunteer services every year. One of them is the New Life Concert which is held at the end of every year.
In her opening address, Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah explained the purpose of the concert and that it was prepared for our neighbors around the world suffering from disasters, poverty, and diseases. She also expressed her gratitude to everyone who participated in the concert with a warm heart despite the busy end-of-the-year season. She also said, “I sincerely hope that the bitter cold wind of December, all the despair and anxieties in our society, and the pain and sorrow that each of you carried will be left behind along with 2016, and that today you will have a beautiful and precious time,” and delivered a message of hope and comfort ahead of the new year.
Sponsor Chairman Lee Soon-jae conveyed his best wishes for the concert with a video message, which was followed by congratulatory messages of the guests and a donation delivery ceremony. Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah conveyed medical expenses and living expenses to 67 households marginalized from welfare services in Korea, and promised to support five countries—Ecuador, Myanmar, Vietnam, Chile, and Paraguay—with educational facilities, daily necessities, and medical expenses. The members cheered on their neighbors with applause of encouragement.
A Beautiful Melody Containing Mother’s Love
The second part of the concert was filled with beautiful melodies about hope and love, befitting the concert slogan, “Share Happiness Through Mother’s Love.” While actor Kim Seong-hwan emceed the concert with his witty talk, singers Lee Seung-hoon, Jeong Su-ra and many other performers put on a passionate show. Those who took part in the concert by donating and sharing their talents, expressed their overwhelming emotions by the staggering size of the concert hall, and the audience of over 20,000 people.
“Personally, I look forward to performing at this event every December. Today’s concert hall, the Gocheok Sky Dome, seems even bigger. I was very nervous and tense to hear that the number of people would be 20,000. It feels rewarding to think that the New Life Concert has grown and been reborn as much as the love overflows with each passing year. I hope today that the beneficiary families will forget all their hardships they have had in the past, and leave this concert filled with hope and love. I will deliver love and hope to you. Cheer up!”Singer Jeong Su-ra
Love and Hope to Global Village Neighbors
The audience responded with loud shouts to the singers who sang with warm sincerity and a heart of service. After each performance, the dome was filled with applause and cheers from the audience. The families of the beneficiaries who enjoyed the concert with one mind, also all said that they gained new hope and strength through the support and cheer of many people.
A housewife of a multicultural family from China expressed her gratitude, saying, “It was a difficult situation where there was no way to appeal to anyone, but all these people helped us.” Wajid (from Seo-gu, Daejeon), an international student who came at the invitation of a member, expressed how inspired he was by saying, “Living for others is noble but difficult. I’m proud of everyone who overcame that difficulty and came here today.” The concert was a time for everybody—from those who volunteered to those who gave support and to those who received support, to feel the warmth in their hearts through mother’s love.
Although at the end of the year, cold wind can almost freeze a person’s heart, at the New Life Concert which sang of hope and where everyone became one to support neighbors in need, was filled with the warmth of love. Even in the future, the WeLoveU will continue to shine the light of love and hope to our neighbors living in the global village.