GIMHAE — “My hometown of Gimhae is wonderful,” goes the opening line of ‘My Hometown Gimhae’, a song crafted by senior residents living in the aircraft noise-impacted zones of Gimhae. It is a poignant opening statement from individuals who have spent a lifetime bearing the roar of airplanes flying directly over their heads.

Earlier in September, from September 9 to 11, these seniors embarked on a healing trip to Jeju Island. Over the course of 2 days and 3 nights, they enjoyed therapeutic performances and walked through healing forests and tea plantations. For several participants, this trip marked their very first time boarding an airplane—bringing the lyric “loading dreams onto an airplane” to life.

A Community United Through Art and Music

The Gimhae Senior Welfare Center and Dongbu Senior Welfare Center, operating under the Gimhae City Welfare Foundation, are carrying out a community support project funded by the Korea Airports Corporation. Titled ‘Singing of 49 Years Alongside the Airport: My Hometown is Gimhae’, the initiative runs as a seven-month program from April through November.

After participating in emotional healing programs utilizing art and music, the participants gathered in July to share their innermost thoughts and stories. Those reflections were woven together to form the lyrics of the song. In August, they stepped into a recording studio, strapped on headphones, and lent their voices to the track.

The lyrics capture the sweeping fields along the Nakdong River, the hardships of the past, and cherished friends. Passing through the chorus, “Let’s embark on a youth journey together of laughter and tears,” the song concludes with, “I love my hometown Gimhae.”

Collaboration and Future Events

The project engaged 60 participants in total, including 30 vulnerable seniors living alone and 30 local residents across 10 towns, townships, and neighborhood districts designated as noise-impacted zones. They collaborated with 30 young local artists, including lyricists, visual artists, and photographers. The entire project budget of 70 million won was fully funded by the Korea Airports Corporation.

Aircraft noise-impacted zones refer to areas where aircraft noise is projected to exceed regulated thresholds. In Gimhae, these areas include Jucheon-myeon, Naeoe-dong, Hoehyeon-dong, Buwon-dong, Chilsanseobu-dong in the western district, and Dongsang-dong, Hwalcheon-dong, Saman-dong, Buram-dong, and Daedong-myeon in the eastern district.

The participants are set to attend the Gimhae City Welfare Expo, held at Lotte Garden Park for two days starting October 3. The project will conclude on October 15 with a small concert combined with a video screening and exhibition, where they will share the song they created with the wider community.

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