On June 2 and 3, 2026, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan and the Min-On Concert Association jointly presented the lecture concert “Korea-Japan Youth Concert Vol. 8: Korea-Japan Musical Gala Concert” at KCC Hammadang Hall in Tokyo. The event brought together four acclaimed musical theater performers from Korea and Japan: Im Kang-sung and Lee Eun Yul from Korea, and Atsushi Ito and Midori Kiga from Japan. Through a vibrant program of solo performances and cross-cultural duets featuring beloved musical theater numbers, the artists shared the joy of music and highlighted its extraordinary power to transcend national and linguistic boundaries, bringing people together through a shared love of song and performance.
During the event, we spoke with Korean musical theater performers Im Kang-sung and Lee Eun Yul about their experiences performing in Japan, their artistic approaches to musical theater, the role music plays in their lives, and the memorable moments when they felt a genuine connection with Japanese audiences.
(Interview conducted on June 3, 2026.)
◆ Watch the interview highlights:
https://youtu.be/EhZn1FdEAIE
MIN-ON: Thank you for your wonderful performances. Looking back on yesterday’s concert, what was it like to perform for a Japanese audience, and what impressions did you take away from the experience?
Im Kang-sung: To be honest, I was quite nervous at first. We were performing in a country where people speak a different language, and I wondered how the audience would respond to songs performed in Korean. However, yesterday’s concert reminded me once again of the remarkable power of music to transcend language and cultural differences, touching hearts and bringing people together, wherever they may be in the world. I was also deeply moved by the warmth and enthusiasm of the audience. Their heartfelt welcome made the performance an unforgettable experience, one that I will always cherish.
Lee Eun Yul: I felt much the same way. Although I had visited Japan before as a tourist, this was my first time performing here in a concert, so I was understandably nervous. With most of the audience being Japanese, I wondered how they would respond to our songs in Korean. At the same time, with K-pop and Korean culture becoming increasingly popular in Japan, I hoped that our Korean-language songs would feel familiar to the audience. Keeping that hope in mind, we poured our hearts into every performance. Seeing how warmly the audience embraced our music was truly heartwarming and brought me great joy.
MIN-ON: In musical theater, songs play a vital role in bringing the story to life and conveying the characters’ emotions. When you sing, what do you focus on most to express those emotions and connect with the audience?
Im Kang-sung: As you said, musical theater is about much more than singing a song. Every song grows out of a particular moment in the story, shaped by the dialogue, the situation and the emotions of the character. When I perform, what matters most to me is how I use my voice to bring those emotions to life. I think carefully about when to sing with greater intensity and passion, and when to hold back and let the emotion speak more quietly. For me, it is all about finding the right balance. Every phrase has to feel true to the character and the moment they are experiencing. I want my singing to do more than convey a melody—I want it to tell the story, express what the character is feeling deep inside, and allow the audience to feel those emotions with them.
Lee Eun Yul: I agree. I believe one of the things that sets musical theater apart from other forms of singing is the emphasis on conveying the meaning of the lyrics. When I sing, I want the audience to feel as though I am telling my own story through the words. For me, the most important thing is to communicate the meaning and emotions behind the lyrics in a way that feels deeply personal and authentic, so that the audience can connect with the story on an emotional level.
MIN-ON: What does music mean to each of you personally?
Im Kang-sung: For me, music is the source of strength that keeps me going. Whenever I feel exhausted or find myself facing difficult times, it gives me the courage and energy to carry on. Music is also what led me to choose this profession and has remained at the heart of my life ever since. No matter what challenges I encounter, it continues to inspire me, renew my energy and give me the strength to move forward. If I were to sum up what music means to me, I would say that it is the very force that sustains me and helps me keep moving forward in life
Lee Eun Yul: For me, music is everything. It is what gives my life meaning and keeps me moving forward. Becoming a musical theater performer was a dream I held close to my heart, and I feel truly fortunate to have been able to make that dream a reality. Now, however, I have a new dream: to keep singing on stage for as long as I live, right up until my very last moment. That is what I hope for most as I look to the future. In a sense, simply being able to sing means that I am already living my dream every single day. And for that, I feel deeply grateful.
MIN-ON: Have you ever experienced a moment in your performances when you felt music transcend national and linguistic boundaries, bringing people together and connecting their hearts despite their differences?
Lee Eun Yul: In fact, I experienced exactly that during yesterday’s concert. I was incredibly nervous before stepping onto the stage. When I came out and began to sing, the audience was so quiet that my nerves only grew stronger. I couldn’t tell how they were responding or whether they were enjoying the performance. Then, as the lights over the audience gradually brightened, I was finally able to see their faces. They were smiling warmly, their expressions filled with joy. Seeing that brought me an enormous sense of relief. I realized that even if they couldn’t understand every word we sang, our music was reaching them on a deeper level. I remember thinking to myself, “This is the moment we have become one.” It was an incredibly moving experience, and one that made me feel firsthand how music can transcend language and connect people’s hearts.
MIN-ON: Finally, what message would you like to share with everyone who attended the concerts in person, as well as those who will have the opportunity to experience your performances through the videos?
Im Kang-sung: Thank you so very much.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who filled the concert hall and watched our performances with such sincerity and warmth. For those who were unable to join us this time, I sincerely hope we will have another opportunity to return to Japan and share our music with you in person.
Lee Eun Yul: Hello, everyone! My name is Lee Eun Yul. It was a genuine pleasure and an honor to meet all of you at yesterday’s concert. I heard that many people applied for tickets but were unfortunately unable to attend, and I was truly sorry to hear that. Once again, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for inviting us to Tokyo and giving us this wonderful opportunity to share our music with you. It was a truly memorable experience, and I am deeply grateful for your warm welcome. Thank you so much!
Related Links
◆ Full Concert: Korea-Japan Youth Concert Vol. 8 (2026)
◆ Concert News: Korea-Japan Youth Concert Vol. 8 Brings Musical Singers Together in Tokyo
◆ Min-On Music Journey: Republic of Korea
If you have any comments regarding this article, please feel free to email us at: publicrelations@min-on.or.jp
Min-On Concert Association
–Music Binds Our Hearts–
