Music transcends cultural differences

By Sgt. Courtney L. Davis, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys Public Affairs OfficeNovember 9, 2021

Distinguished guests, including the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys command team, enjoy a musical performance during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5,...
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Distinguished guests, including the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys command team, enjoy a musical performance during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the alliance by providing a welcoming atmosphere for U.S. forces to experience Korea’s diverse musical culture. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Courtney L. Davis) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Courtney Davis) VIEW ORIGINAL
Jang Cheol-joon (left) and Lee Sun-yeong perform an operatic duet during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the...
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jang Cheol-joon (left) and Lee Sun-yeong perform an operatic duet during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the alliance by providing a welcoming atmosphere for U.S. forces to experience Korea’s diverse musical culture. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Courtney L. Davis) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Courtney Davis) VIEW ORIGINAL

CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea (Nov. 9, 2021) – The U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys command team attended the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert at the Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5.

Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation hosted the concert to continue strengthening the Republic of Korea and U.S. alliance by providing a warm environment to enjoy Korean musical culture.

“Attending these concerts are important to my wife and I because it demonstrates our commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin C. Lemon, the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys senior enlisted advisor. “I’ve learned over the years that people tend to bond over a couple of things — great food and great music. This concert provides the latter.”

There was definitely no shortage of fun. The performers lit up the stage with K-Pop, classical music, a taekwondo demonstration, and an operatic duo who blew the roof off the auditorium.

“I hope that Pyeongtaek citizens and U.S. military officials who are participating in the event will also put aside all their worries and have fun,” said Shim Soon-bong, the chief executive officer of the Pyeong An Newspaper.

The crowd stood up with their hands proudly over their hearts while they listened to Lee Sun-yeong and Jang Cheol-joon sing the U.S. and Korean National Anthems.

“Looking through the audience and seeing USFK-affiliated members and those of our host nation enjoying themselves reinforced to me the special bond we all have with one another,” said Col. Seth C. Graves, the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander.

Byeol Sarang (center) performs at the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the alliance by providing a welcoming atmosphere...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Byeol Sarang (center) performs at the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the alliance by providing a welcoming atmosphere for U.S. forces to experience Korea’s diverse musical culture. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Courtney L. Davis) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Courtney Davis) VIEW ORIGINAL
A student from the Osan Taekwondo Demonstration Team and his Sabom exhibit gyeokpa, the discipline of destroying inanimate objects, during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A student from the Osan Taekwondo Demonstration Team and his Sabom exhibit gyeokpa, the discipline of destroying inanimate objects, during the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Courtney L. Davis) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Courtney Davis) VIEW ORIGINAL
Pyeongtaek citizens and U.S. service members and their families enjoy a K-Pop performance at the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pyeongtaek citizens and U.S. service members and their families enjoy a K-Pop performance at the sixth ROK-U.S. Peace Music Concert hosted by Pyeongtaek International Exchange Foundation at Pyeongtaek North Art Center Nov. 5, 2021. The concert strengthens the alliance by providing a welcoming atmosphere for U.S. forces to experience Korea’s diverse musical culture. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Courtney L. Davis) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Courtney Davis) VIEW ORIGINAL

People in the audience bobbed their heads and clapped to the beat of the instruments. Byeol Sarang performed three popular Korean dance songs. Her on-stage hype team led the audience to sing and clap along with her call and response parts of songs.

Sarang bowed and waved to show her gratitude to the audience’s applause. The performer was not the only one appreciative of the patrons’ support.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the USFK service members, their families, and Pyeongtaek citizens who are here today,” said Yea Chang-sub, chairman of PIEF.

As the command team departed for the night, they expressed excitement for future opportunities to enhance their bond with the Pyeongtaek community.

“Anytime I can attend an event that can show the garrison’s support and thanks to the City of Pyeongtaek, I’ll be there,” said Graves. “Camp Humphreys is extremely fortunate to have a strong relationship with the City of Pyeongtaek.”