"Activities cut short by military enlistment" Haebaragi's Lee Ju-ho and Lee Gwang-jun share their musical journey

Lee Ju-ho and Lee Gwang-jun, members of the group Haebaragi, who are called legends of folk music, will take the stage after 35 years. This performance, to be held at the Mapo Art Center at 5 PM on November 1, is a thank-you concert prepared to repay the fans who have supported Haebaragi all this time. Lee Gwang-jun prepared for this performance by practicing repeatedly for about three years after returning from living in the United States for about 10 years.

In this video released through Song Seung-whan's YouTube channel 'Song Seung-whan's Wonderful Life', the two members of Haebaragi appeared and reminisced about their musical roots and the background of how the name Haebaragi was born. In particular, Song Seung-whan mentioned his connection with Lee Ju-ho, with whom he hosted a broadcast segment for two years and sang a female duet song by Lee Ju-ho and Ju-dong-i. He also shared his long-standing connection with Lee Gwang-jun, who was in charge of musical accompaniment in a small theater with a capacity of 76 seats back in 1978.

The name 'Haebaragi' born from a nun's suggestion

The team name Haebaragi was closely related to the musical formation process. Around 1975, Lee Ju-ho and Lee Gwang-jun continued musical exchanges with Lee Jung-sun, Han Young-ae, Kim Young-mi, and others. At that time, they built musical connections by participating in recitals held at the Catholic Hall. The initial formation of the Haebaragi members took place when Lee Jung-sun, Han Young-ae, and Kim Young-mi visited a gathering called 'Submarine Carrying a Sparrow' held at St. Benedict's Church (currently St. Benedict's Church).

According to Lee Ju-ho, while they were struggling to decide on a team name, Sister Colette of the Catholic Hall suggested the name. This was because the place where they were singing at the time was 'Sunflower Hall'. Following the nun's suggestion, the name 'Haebaragi' was decided, and this soon became the team's identity.

They stood before the public through their first debut album in 1977 with songs such as 'A Woman Running with the Clouds'. However, Lee Ju-ho expressed his apologies for not being able to continue activities properly, stating that his military enlistment notice arrived just one week after releasing the first album. During Lee Ju-ho's hiatus, Lee Gwang-jun joined to continue the musical context of Haebaragi.

Composition in 8th grade and father's guitar

The two members showed extraordinary talent in music since childhood. Lee Ju-ho revealed his musical sense since he was in the 3rd grade of elementary school and already began composing at the young age of 8th grade. He showed a mature side, having written the song 'The Path of Life' based on reflections on life gained from reading Hermann Hesse's book 'Narcissus and Goldmund'. Lee Ju-ho was born as the seventh of ten siblings and is a native Seoulite born in Ihwa-dong, Seoul.

Lee Gwang-jun also grew up in a musical environment. During his 9th grade year, he discovered the joy of music through a guitar gifted by his father and developed his guitar skills while watching a senior neighbor play. Lee Gwang-jun is also a native Seoulite born in Changsin-dong.

This thank-you concert is a stage that the two members have prepared by pouring all their energy for the fans who have waited for Haebaragi for a long time. Expectations are rising for what kind of resonance the voices of the two members, who meet again after a long time of 35 years, will provide.

Source: original video (YouTube)