On June 2 and 3, 2026, the Korean Embassy in Japan’s Korean Cultural Center (KCC) and Min-On co-presented the lecture concert “Korea-Japan Youth Concert Vol. 8: Korea-Japan Musical Gala Concert” at KCC Hammadang Hall. Approximately 300 audience members attended on each day.
First launched in 2018, the Korea-Japan Youth Concert series is a joint initiative by the KCC and Min-On aimed at fostering exchange between young musicians from both countries. For this eighth edition, subtitled “Korea-Japan Musical Gala Concert,” the program featured Im Kang-sung and Lee Eun Yul from Korea, and Atsushi Ito and Midori Kiga from Japan.
The performers each delivered solo numbers before pairing across borders for duets. The program drew from some of the world’s most beloved musicals — Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast — brought to life with expressive artistry and commanding vocal performances.
The evening’s emotional peak came when all four performers joined together for “Do You Hear the People Sing?” from Les Misérables. The powerful, soaring voices of the Korean and Japanese artists united onstage moved the audience to enthusiastic applause.
Audience responses reflected the concert’s broader purpose. Several attendees noted the performers’ evident joy onstage, the hope that such exchanges would help strengthen Korea-Japan relations, and the ability of music to connect even across language barriers.
On June 2, ahead of the performances, Im Kang-sung and Lee Eun Yul visited the Min-On Music Museum, meeting with Vice President Ito and touring the Classical Piano Room and Folk Instrument Room.
This program was made possible through the generous support of Min-On’s sustaining members, to whom we extend our sincere appreciation.
