‘Queen of Elegy’ Lee Mi-ja will conclude her 66-year singing career with a performance alongside her juniors.
On the afternoon of the 5th, a press conference for Lee Mi-ja's traditional music tribute performance ‘Connecting the Pulse (脈)’ was held at Stanford Hall on the 2nd floor of Stanford Hotel Korea in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, with Lee Mi-ja, Joo Hyun-mi, and Jo Hang-jo attending.
Lee Mi-ja will hold her traditional music tribute performance ‘Connecting the Pulse (脈)’ at the Grand Theater of Sejong Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul on April 26-27. This performance will feature live renditions of the classic songs that have accompanied the ‘Queen of Elegy’ throughout her 66-year singing career.
Lee Mi-ja stated, “Today marks the 66th anniversary of my singing career. It is the happiest day of my life,” and added, “I have always insisted on traditional music, and I am delighted to be able to perform with juniors who can carry this on.”
In particular, Lee Mi-ja will collaborate with junior singers in this performance. Collaborative stages featuring her representative songs such as ‘Camellia Lady’, ‘A Woman's Life’, and ‘Teacher of the Island Village’, along with traditional music duet stages and generational emotional stages, are expected to be the highlights of this tribute performance.
When asked about her feelings on being chosen as a successor to carry on traditional music, Joo Hyun-mi replied, “I think it is a heavy responsibility. It is a great honor to be recognized by the teacher, and I feel the weight of that responsibility. I hope this performance becomes a turning point, bringing warmth and comfort of traditional music back to the people.”
In response to the same question, Jo Hang-jo said, “It is a great honor for someone like me. I believe it will become a page in my life history. I will perform with the respect for the songs that the teacher has emphasized, so as not to bring shame.”
Additionally, Jin Jeong Seo-joo from TV Chosun’s ‘Mistrot3’ and the yet-to-be-decided Jin of ‘Mister Trot3’ are also expected to participate in this performance.
Lee Mi-ja mentioned, “I plan to invite both of them to this performance,” adding, “Joo Hyun-mi and Jo Hang-jo can be seen as candidates to carry on traditional music. That is my mindset going into this performance.”
Notably, Lee Mi-ja has announced that she will conclude her 66-year singing career with ‘Connecting the Pulse (脈)’, drawing attention.
He stated, “I do not like the word retirement. I think it is not desirable to draw a line in life. So, I thought it would be better to stop when I can no longer sing quietly. However, instead of saying retirement, I can say that this performance will be my last.”
He continued, “This time, I was able to prepare juniors who can carry on traditional music, so I thought, ‘If that’s the case, I can conclude my career with this performance.’”
He added, “The reason I do not draw a line (on retirement) is that there may be opportunities for me to provide advice in broadcasts or newspapers. For that reason, I will not make a definitive statement. However, I will no longer hold concerts or release records.”
In conclusion, reflecting on her 66-year singing career, Lee Mi-ja said, “I have nothing but singing to offer, so I cannot speak academically. What I want to say is that the songs we remember are mostly our own songs that we heard when we were happy or sad,” and smiled, “I think I have been given the title ‘Queen of Elegy’ because I have sung many sad songs, but I would be grateful if you think of me as a singer who has carried on the pulse of traditional music.”
Meanwhile, ticket sales for ‘Connecting the Pulse (脈)’ will begin on the 6th at 2 PM through Ticket Link and the Sejong Center website.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
