Lotte Concert Hall Revisits the Magic of Shin-ik Hahm & Symphony Song's 2019 Year-End and New Year's Eve Concert
The cheers that filled the Lotte Concert Hall at the end of 2019 still feel fresh, as if it were yesterday. Now, seven years later, the magic of that night is once again a hot topic among music lovers. With a recent broadcast revisiting the live performance, even those who didn't witness 'the magic that night' are joining in the chorus of appreciation.
The Unmatched Synergy of Shin-ik Hahm and Symphony Song
The undeniable stars of this concert, which rang in the new year from December 31st to January 1st, were conductor Shin-ik Hahm and his ensemble, Symphony Song. As always, he directed his musicians with energetic, sweeping gestures, and the audience was instantly drawn into his magical spell. Symphony Song, an ensemble particularly celebrated for the warm resonance of its strings, perfectly rendered grand works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, infusing them with their unique colour under Hahm's dynamic leadership.
What Went Down That Night at Lotte Concert Hall
Among the countless concerts that mark the year-end, this one stands out and is still talked about because it transcended a simple performance to become a true 'celebration.' The absolute highlight of the year-end concert was the impromptu jam session towards the end. The cheerful exchange of glances between Shin-ik Hahm and the orchestra members, the spontaneous applause and laughter erupting from the seats – that night, the audience broke free from the formalities of classical music and revelled in pure, unadulterated joy.
- Repertoire: The 'Ode to Joy' solo from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' Suite, and a medley of Korean art songs personally arranged by Shin-ik Hahm.
- Special Moment: Right before the New Year's Eve bell tolled, the entire audience joining in for a sing-along (?) to 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik' became the stuff of legend.
- Encore: Shin-ik Hahm's witty encouragement of his visibly tired musicians, who were brought back for not one, not two, but four encores, brought the house down with laughter.
Revisiting the 2019 Recording
The recently released live video and audio from that night have become a precious gift for music fans. These recordings, which have only grown more brilliant with time, vividly show how the perfect acoustics of the Lotte Concert Hall space blended seamlessly with Shin-ik Hahm's signature charisma. While some wistfully remark, "If only we could experience that 2019 energy one more time," many are simply grateful for the chance to trace the echoes of that night through the recorded tracks.
A representative from the concert hall shared, "The 2019 Year-End and New Year's Eve concert remains one of the brightest moments in our venue's history. We will continue to curate and present such remarkable performances in the future." Here in 2026, we are still listening to the echoes of that night's applause.