Change Street: A Musical Bridge Between Korea and Japan

'Change Street' kicked off the New Year with an emotional busking event connecting the streets of Korea and Japan.

On January 3rd, the third episode of the monumental project 'Change Street' (directed by Oh Joon-sung) aired on ENA, celebrating the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization. The episode featured Korean artists Lee Seung-gi, Super Junior's Ryeowook, Chungha, and TXT's Taehyun, alongside Japanese artists DJ KOO, Ai Takahashi, KENJI03, Ai Tomioka, and Reini, each showcasing their music in diverse settings.

'Change Street' is a groundbreaking cultural exchange program where leading artists from Korea and Japan delve into each other's streets, languages, and emotions, connecting through music.

In the previous episode, the Korean team performed a refreshing daytime busking session in Chiba Prefecture's Doitsu Village. In episode 3, they continued their performance on the illuminated night streets of Doitsu Village, creating a stage where light and music intertwined.

The youngest member of the Korean team, Taehyun, opened the stage with a calm and composed rendition of Shin Seung-hun's 'I Believe' from the movie 'My Sassy Girl.' His flowing voice silenced the surroundings, proving his maturity as a balladeer. Ryeowook followed with Sung Si-kyung's 'Every Moment of You' from the drama 'My Love from the Star,' enveloping the space with emotion. Watching from the studio, Matsuda was moved to tears, capturing the emotional essence of the performance.

Chungha elevated the emotional temperature with Park Hee-kyung's 'The Mermaid Who Loved the Shark' from the drama 'My Girl.' Matsuda expressed his deep impression, saying, "It makes me naturally bring my hands together in reverence." Shin Dong-yup also shared his heartfelt thoughts, "Listening to the song makes me feel I should show more respect when we meet next. It was a truly happy moment beyond the broadcast."

Lee Seung-gi, who married Lee Da-in in 2023, chose Girls' Generation Taeyeon's 'Can You Hear Me...' from the drama 'Beethoven Virus,' reinterpreting the song with his unique rhythm while preserving its original sentiment, delivering a profound impact. His captivating vocals and delicate emotional lines firmly held the flow of the performance, evoking deep emotions.

The Japanese team continued their busking at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul, creating a different atmosphere. Reini evoked old pop sentiments with Southern All Stars' 'Ellie, My Love,' and the audience naturally swayed to the rhythm. DJ KOO and KENJI03 shifted the mood with Kuwata Band's 'Skipped Beat,' infusing energy into the space. DJ KOO's timeless energy and KENJI03's rhythmic vocals transformed the museum into a festive venue.

Ai Tomioka selected RADWIMPS' 'Sparkle' from the anime 'Your Name,' creating a fantastic atmosphere with her delicate emotional lines and clear tone. As the song played, the museum became a serene scene, and the audience immersed themselves in the performance, recalling their own memories. Ai Takahashi concluded the busking with Anzen Chitai's 'Wine Red no Kokoro' from the drama 'The Clumsy Husband's Choice,' delivering a mature love song.

In the signature 'Street Song' corner of 'Change Street,' Chungha and DJ KOO & KENJI03 filled the stage with their unique styles. Chungha performed her song 'Everybody Has' in the flower-bloomed Doitsu Village, expressing, "At the beginning of the year, there are moments of exhaustion from the pressure to start anew. I hope it offers some comfort to those who feel the same." Her words and song resonated deeply with the beautiful scenery.

DJ KOO and KENJI03 performed a medley of TRF's 'BOY MEETS GIRL' and 'EZ DO DANCE,' followed by BACK-ON's 'Nibun no Ichi' from the anime 'Gundam Build Fighters' at the Seoul Box of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, creating a cross-generational stage. The familiar melodies naturally evoked memories, turning the venue into a meaningful space filled with nostalgia.

Lee So-jung, TENASIA Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr