Lotte Concert Hall Revisits the Magic: The Unforgettable 2019 New Year's Eve Concert with Hak-Nam Kim and Symphony Song
The roar of the crowd that filled the Lotte Concert Hall at the end of 2019 still echoes in our memories. Now, seven years on, the magic of that night is igniting passionate conversations among music fans once again. With broadcast footage of the concert recently resurfacing, even those who missed the experience firsthand are being swept up in the excitement.
The Unbeatable Synergy of Hak-Nam Kim and Symphony Song
Spanning from December 31st, 2019, to January 1st, 2020, the concert series was headlined by the undeniable duo: conductor Hak-Nam Kim and his Symphony Song orchestra. As always, he led his musicians with an electrifying energy, and the audience was instantly captivated by his musical spell. Symphony Song, known for the warm, rich resonance of its strings, delivered powerhouse performances of major works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, perfectly infusing them with their unique colour under Kim's dynamic direction.
The Night the Lotte Concert Hall Came Alive
Among the countless concerts that mark the end of the year, this one stands out and continues to be talked about because it was more than just a performance—it was a true celebration. The absolute highlight was the impromptu jam session towards the end. The cheerful glances exchanged between Hak-Nam Kim and his orchestra members, the spontaneous applause and laughter from the seats – it was a moment where the formalities of classical music melted away, leaving pure, shared joy.
- The Setlist: The 'Ode to Joy' solo from Beethoven's 9th Symphony, selections from Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' Suite, and a medley of Korean art songs arranged by Hak-Nam Kim himself.
- A Special Moment: Just before the midnight bells, the entire audience joining in for what can only be described as a legendary, impromptu pub-style singalong to 'Eine kleine Nachtmusik'.
- The Encore: After a staggering four encores, the sight of a weary but amused Hak-Nam Kim cheekily rallying his exhausted orchestra for one more sent waves of laughter through the crowd.
Reliving the Magic of 2019
The recent release of footage and audio recordings from that night has become a precious gift for music lovers. These documents, only growing more brilliant with time, vividly capture the perfect synergy between the Lotte Concert Hall's pristine acoustics and Hak-Nam Kim's undeniable charisma. While some fans lament, "If only we could experience that 2019 energy one more time," there's a deep sense of gratitude that we can still trace the echoes of that night through these recordings.
"The 2019 New Year's Eve concert remains one of the brightest highlights in our venue's history," shared a representative from the concert hall. "We're committed to continuing to discover and present performances of this calibre." Here in 2026, the cheers from that night still resonate.