'Queen of Elegy' Lee Mi-ja has ended her brilliant 66-year-long musical journey.
Lee Mi-ja held a 'Lee Mi-ja Traditional Song Tribute Performance 'Lee Mi-ja (脈) Ieum' at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th and 27th and greeted more than 6,000 fans.
`The Roots of Traditional Songs' Lee Mi-ja continued the tradition of traditional songs by filling the stage for 120 minutes with junior singers Joo Hyun-mi, Jo Jeong-jo, 'Miss Trot 3'Jin Jeong-ju, and 'Mr Trot 3'Jin Kim Yong-bin.
Lee Mi-ja, who was on the last stage of her 66-year career as a singer, took the stage with the accordion solo of the An Ki-seung Band and opened the 30th anniversary song 'Song is My Life' When the opening stage with junior singers was over, the audience burst into thunderous applause and shouts. Lee Mi-ja caught the attention of fans at once with her deep tone and unshakable singing voice like a tree with solid roots.
Joo Hyun-mi, Jo Jeong-jo, Seo Jeong-ju, and Kim Yong-bin then performed a tribute stage for senior Lee Mi-ja. They reinterpreted hit songs by Lee Mi-ja, which are Korean songs themselves, such as 'Asi', 'A woman's life', 'Heuksando Lady', 'Yeoro', 'If tears are pearls', 'Hwangpo anchor', 'Anemone', 'Bing Point', adding special sensibilities.
In the middle of the performance, a stage was followed to illuminate traditional songs that captured the pain of the times from Japanese colonial era to the Korean War. The cast reflected on the value of traditional Korean songs through masterpieces representing the times, such as 'Hwangseong Yeoteo', 'Return to Korea', 'Liberated station wagon', 'Jeonseon Yagok', and 'Go Sampalseon'.
Lee Mi-ja selected masterpieces like jade that have touched the hearts of the public for a long time, giving fans unforgettable memories. Starting with the debut song '19 Innocence', the best hit song 'When the Camellia Lady' was sung in a unique mournful voice following 'Bruce' at dusk' and 'Goose Dad', giving a deep resonance. The stage with all the sincerity in each word proved the dignity of 'Queen of Elegy'.
Lee Mi-ja, who is only about to perform on the last stage, said "There were many happy moments while singing for 66 years, but there were also many heartbreaking moments. Thanks to you who have consistently loved me, I was able to prepare this happy stage today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart"He gave a warm greeting to his fans.
Lee Mi-ja finished the performance by singing 'Island Village Teacher' with her junior singers. The screen behind the stage reads "Thank you so much for making this precious time for me. I will remember today for a long time. Thank you so much and I love youThe message " flowed and left a lingering impression.
Amid standing ovations from the audience, Lee Mi-ja passed on the queen's crown to her juniors, and Joo Hyun-mi, Jo Jo Moon-jo, Seo Jeong-ju, and Kim Yong-bin concluded the performance by expressing their determination to continue the tradition of traditional songs.
Lee Mi-ja, who debuted in 1959 with '19 Pure Love', has kept the roots of traditional Korean songs for 66 years, leaving behind numerous hits such as 'Sum Village Teacher', 'Yeoro', 'A Woman's Life', and 'Heuksando Lady'. In particular, 'Dongbaek Lady' has established itself as a representative national song of the times, surpassing 1 million album sales and topping the popular charts for 35 consecutive weeks. In 2023, he became the first popular musician to receive the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, marking a milestone in the history of Korean pop music.
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