Lyrical songs of Russian origin filled Gallery Inter Alia in southern Seoul on December 8. The beautiful music was not the only reason people’s hearts were touched. Let’s hear what the concert’s organizer, Kim Han-seung, says about the concert.

The recipient of this benefit concert is a soprano. She is quite well-known in Europe, but a lack of marketing in Korea made her almost unrecognized here. After she won a Korea Opera Award, she held her first concert at the Seoul Arts Center. That’s when the Korean public began to be aware of who she was. Today’s concert was held to encourage her and award her with a lifelong grant.

It was a concert sponsored by leading Korean musicians to support a talented yet little-known soprano. Once the audience was informed of the concert’s purpose, the audience members were even more deeply touched by the music and the artists.

- I knew this concert was for a good cause. The ticket I purchased goes toward supporting this artist. The music was wonderful and it was a memorable event to wrap up the year.
- It was a new experience. I didn’t know there was a concert like this. I wish her musical career would pan out.
- The idea was good and it was beautiful to see already established artists trying to help a younger musician. It was nice to hear such beautiful music.

Talent donation is a new and trendy way of sharing your love for the community. People donate not only money and goods, but also their talents to the needy – reading for the visually impaired, teaching disadvantaged children, renovating old homes, giving legal advice and physical checkups. There are also many organizations functioning as talent donation centers. A growing number of talent donors in Korea represent a heart-warming trend that is spreading all over the nation.

This group of famous classical singers sponsors younger musicians through quarterly concerts. The concert just started last fall, so this is the second one of its kind this year. Here’s concert organizer Kim Han-seung to tell us more.

This concert stands apart from other musical performances, because it provides an opportunity for established classic singers to support younger singers. Four concerts are planned for a year and a different beneficiary is chosen for each concert. The proceed from the concert given to the chosen recipient is not a lot of money and is called a grant rather than a donation, but just seeing so many musicians performing to support you gives a big lift to the young, aspiring musicians.

Many classical musicians in Korea feel that, even after studying and building solid careers in France, Italy, and Russia, they don’t have enough opportunities to perform and gain recognition in Korea. They profess they had a hard time adjusting to the classical musical environment upon returning home from abroad. Bass singer Lee Yeon-seong tells us about his experience.

Classical singers in Korea half jokingly say they have to sell their houses to study abroad. But they realize that it is hard to launch their professional careers even after they finish their studies and come back to Korea, because there are too many talented classical musicians in Korea and not enough opportunities to perform.

This is why some senior classical musicians have come together to help out young, promising singers.

I’m lucky. Since 2001 I have been leading roles in several operas like Othello, Madame Butterfly, and La Traviata, but, upon my return home, I found that not many Korean enjoyed operas, while there are too many great classical singers. It was harder to audition and perform in Korea than in Italy, because the market is so small. In that respect I’m glad and thankful that a concert like this is available to the public. I’m the youngest among these musicians, but I hope to build my career and help out other singers later. I’m learning a lot.

The venue is not a music hall, but a small gallery. There is no boundary separating the audience and the musicians, and the small and intimate space brings everyone together. Here’s concert organizer Kim Han-seung.

Since it’s an open space, the audience can hear the singer’s voice with their hearts. And unlike conventional concerts where the audience only gets to hear music, we tell people about the music we’re going to perform and what we think of the pieces.

The gallery is not leased out to the musicians, either. Concert organizers and gallery staff also make contributions to the talent donation. Here’s Mr. Nam Ki-tae of Gallery Inter Alia.

It costs a lot of money to hold a concert, but we share part of that cost. That’s what friends of musicians do. Musicians rarely get any grants or subsidies. We are here to give them research subsidy through the concerts. I hope our work is a great help to them.

Those who came to the concert each got a gift, a Christmas-themed decal. This gift was also donated by a businessman, Kim Sun-gyu of Hyundai Sheets.

I’m a businessman, but I’m glad to donate part of my business profit to musicians and artists.

The musicians taking part in the donation concert included many renowned musicians from various disciplines. They gladly came together to support a fellow musician. Here’s bass singer Lee Yeon-seong, who majored Russian music.

I was in the same difficulty ten years ago. So when I was offered a chance to help a talented musician, I gladly joined in the effort. Through such concerts as this one, young musicians can get to know and learn from one another. I remember that I was really anxious about not having many opportunities to perform when I returned to Korea in 2002. I’m glad I’m now in a position to help a fellow classical singer. I’ve enjoyed this concert very much.

The idea for this concert came from classical musician and opera singer Kim Nam-doo. He believes that his activities now are necessary for the future of Korean music.

I feel that musical opportunities and benefits should be shared among as many musicians as possible, not monopolized by a handful. If we the established musicians feel threatened by a lack of opportunities, think how anxious young artists of today would feel. They should have more stages like this one to show and develop their talents. I feel fulfilled whenever a concert is over. I received much encouragement when the first donation concert was over.

Donation of artistic talents can be found in the film industry as well.

“Iron Bag Man,” released in November, is based on a true story of Kim Woo-soo, a Chinese food delivery man, who supported five children with his meager salary of 700 U.S. dollars. But we were not able to meet this generous man in person, because sadly he died in a car accident last year. Director Yoon Hak-yeol was inspired by the story of this man, who grew up in an orphanage and at one time lived a life of poverty and frustration.

He died on September 25, 2011. I was curious about what motivated him to do so much good, how he was able to sponsor five children for seven years with his paltry pay of 700 dollars a month. I went to visit the Chinese restaurant he worked for and a small residential center he lived in. In his room I saw the pictures of the five children and a Bible. I’m a parent of a teenage boy and a sixth-grader girl. I wanted to make a movie about him to show my children how inspiring his life was.

Director Yoon finished the screenplay in just ten days and other actors, musicians, writers, and producers deeply touched by Kim Woo-soo’s life pledged to donate their talents.

I showed the scenario to actor Choi Soo-jong. Being a father himself, Choi gladly took part in the production for free. He was followed by other actors and musicians. Guitarist Kim Tae-won of the rock band Buhwal wrote the ending score in just five minutes and four of Kim’s students – Jeong Dong-ha, Baek Cheong-gang, Sohn Jin-yong, and Lee Tae-gon – sang the song. Writer Lee Oi-soo wrote the lyrics to the song and a tribute to Mr. Kim Woo-soo and fashion designer Lee Sang-bong took care of the wardrobe. Computer graphic work, sound mixing, and marketing were all done by talent donors. PR work was done by a group of 300 student volunteers.

The giving spirit of Kim Woo-soo had inspired filmmakers and musicians to donate their skills and touch the hearts of many moviegoers.

- I liked the movie. I realized that not only rich people can make donations and decided to share whatever I have with others. I’m sure we all have some talent we can share with others. Talent donation would certainly make our world a better one.
- The movie was about sharing and the filmmakers lived up to the movie’s subject matter. I was very moved by the filmmaking process and how everyone involved provided their skills for free. I wish this movie would play in more theaters and foster the spirit of giving.

Kim Woo-soo who delivered hope to the world is still spreading the spirit of giving even after his death. Here’s filmmaker Yoon Hak-yeol again.

His generous spirit made this movie possible. Many were inspired by his life, ultimately making this film possible. Real healing of my wound begins when I help others heal. I hope this film showed how sharing heals wounds in people’s lives.

Today is Christmas in Korea. Whatever your religion or belief is, the spirit of sharing and giving is a universal value everyone around the world should champion.