Rediscovering the Magic: Ham Shin-ik and Symphony Song’s Unforgettable 2019 New Year’s Concerts at Lotte Concert Hall
The roar of the crowd that filled the Lotte Concert Hall at the end of 2019 still feels like it was yesterday. Now, seven years later, the magic of that very night is back in the spotlight, sparking excitement among music fans. With a recent broadcast revisiting the live performance, even those who missed out on 'the magic that night' are joining in on the buzz.
Ham Shin-ik and Symphony Song: An Unbeatable Synergy
The stars of this concert series, running from December 31st, 2019, to January 1st, were undoubtedly conductor Ham Shin-ik and his Symphony Song orchestra. As always, he directed his musicians with electrifying energy, and the audience was instantly captivated by his magic. Symphony Song, an ensemble renowned for the warm resonance of its strings, perfectly delivered major works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, infusing them with their unique colour under Ham's dynamic baton.
The Night Magic Happened at Lotte Concert Hall
Among the many concerts that mark the year-end, this one stands out because it felt less like a formal performance and more like a full-blown celebration. The absolute highlight of the New Year's Eve concert was the impromptu jam session towards the end. It was the playful glances Ham Shin-ik exchanged with his orchestra members, the spontaneous applause and laughter from the seats—the evening was all about breaking down the formal barriers of classical music and simply revelling in shared joy.
- The Setlist: The 'Ode to Joy' from Beethoven's 9th Symphony, selections from Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker' Suite, and a medley of Korean art songs arranged by Ham Shin-ik himself.
- Special Moment: Right before the New Year's bells, the impromptu, audience-wide singalong to 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' became the stuff of legend.
- The Encore: A highlight for fans was watching a visibly exhausted orchestra being playfully urged on by Ham Shin-ik for not one, but four encores, drawing huge laughs from the crowd.
Reliving the Magic of 2019
The recently released live footage and recordings from that night have become a treasured gift for music lovers. These documents, which seem to glow brighter with time, perfectly capture how the pristine acoustics of the Lotte Concert Hall merged with Ham Shin-ik's signature charisma. While some fans wistfully sigh, wishing they could bottle that 2019 energy, there's a deep sense of gratitude that we can still trace the spirit of that night through the recordings.
A representative from the concert hall shared, "The 2019 New Year's Eve and Day concerts are among the most brilliant moments in our venue's history. We are committed to continuing to curate and present such legendary performances." Here in 2026, the echoes of that night's ovation are still resonating.