Seoul, South Korea – A young Korean musician, Seo Ye-hwa, has combined her passion for traditional Korean music with her commitment to social justice, organizing a successful solo gayageum concert to raise funds for Korean adoptees seeking U.S. citizenship.
The concert, held on December 28th at the Ricodia Art Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, featured Seo performing a variety of traditional Korean music pieces, including sanjo (an improvisational form), folk songs, and a unique arrangement of the Beatles' "Let It Be" on the 25-string gayageum.
Seo, the World Hug Foundation's global student representative, has been studying the gayageum under the guidance of renowned musician Lee Ye-rang. Her performance aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Korean adoptees who, despite growing up in the United States, are still denied full citizenship rights.
Edward Gibbs, a member of the New York State Assembly, sent a congratulatory message, praising Seo's efforts as a "bridge between the United States and Korea." Joanna Gil, president of the World Hug Foundation, presented Seo with a New York State Assembly Citation, recognizing her as a role model for her community and the world.
The World Hug Foundation, established in 2017, is a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting Korean adoptees in obtaining U.S. citizenship. Many Korean adoptees, despite living in the United States for decades, are still considered non-residents due to complex legal issues. Seo's concert is a testament to her dedication to addressing this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
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