Korean Cultural Center in Thailand hosted Korean War Memorial Concert 2024 by R.O.K Navy Symphonic band on November 26 at 7PM at KBANK Siam PIC Ganesha Theatre.

The Concert was co-hosted by the Patriotic Cultural Association that hosts the annual Korean War Memorial Concert in Korea, and around 1,000 audiences including Korean War Veterans, Veteran's families, Thai government officials, diplomatic corps, culture and art personnel watched various performances.

R.O.K Navy Symphonic band, which consists of 49 bandsmen conducted by Lieutenant Kwang Yoo, opened the stage with ‘A Festival Prelude,’ followed by ‘Memories of the Korean War’, reflecting gratitude and remembrance for the sacrifices and dedication of the veterans. 

After then, Soprano Sehee Lee, the winner of Chicago's Bel Canto Foundation Opera contest, sung ‘Mein Herr Marquis’ from the operetta Die Fledermaus, and Navy singers performed the song ‘Adagio’ by Albinoni.

After performing the song 'Incheon', which captures the urgency and tension of Operation Chromite to Incheon, Arm Korakarn Suttikoses played Thai classic ‘Lao Duang Deuan’ by the Ranad, Thai xylophone. He also sung the song from the original soundtrack of Thai series 'Love Destiny' by encore requests from audiences.

Then, the band played 'Sonata Latino', latin jazz song with the Petty-officer first class Hyojeong Lee, the flutist, and 'September', the popular number of Earth, Wind and Fire with senior chief petty officer Wonchul Jo, the alto saxophonist. 

The Navy Blue Sticks were performed 'In the stone' by the harmony with Western's drum and Korean's Janggu(two-headed drum of Korea), and the Korean fusion music 'Arirang Wander', conducted by Chief-warrant officer Younggap Cheong, impressed the audience by playing Korean instruments with Korean traditional dance such as Bukcheong Sajanoleum(Lion Dance).

Final performance was 'My country, My nation', a song full of nostalgia and patriotism of the Korean Navy after the Korean War. However, spectacles and passionate encore performances were followed - 'APT' which is the newest K-pop song, 'Midnight Serenade' with salutation performance from all bandsmen, and the ASEAN anthem.

The audiences commented that 'The performances including Korean military music, traditional music, K-pop and traditional dance was very impressed', 'Thai classic and ASEAN anthem remind the friendship between Korea and Thailand, and Korea and ASEAN' and 'Thanks for organizing the concert to commemorate Korean war veterans'.

The Center hosted 'Korea-Thailand Friendship Music Festival' with Soprano Sumi Jo in 2023 and held R.O.K Navy Symphonic band concert for Korean war veteran this year. The center will continue to contribute to develop the cultural exchange of both countries.