Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel's Successful Guerrilla Concert in the Netherlands

In a thrilling episode of the global music project 'Duet Across the Sea,' Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel successfully completed their guerrilla concert mission in the Netherlands. The episode, aired on October 5th on KBS 2TV, also featured KCM.

The episode showcased Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel, along with 'promotion fairies' Micky Kwang-soo and Jo Maeryeok, as they roamed the Netherlands to gather an audience for their concert. With a requirement of 300 attendees to proceed with the performance, the team was in dire need of effective promotion. They explored iconic Dutch landmarks, including windmills and scenic bike rides, eventually arriving at Codarts University for the Arts, renowned for music, dance, and circus arts.

Wouter Hamel reunited with a former bandmate, now a professor at Codarts, who welcomed them with a student performance of Hamel's 'Breezy.' Park Ki-young proposed an impromptu performance, transforming a classroom into a concert venue, impressing everyone with her talent. Micky Kwang-soo remarked, “Musicians are different,” as he was captivated by the performance. Hamel's friend promised to promote their concert through the school's group chat, boosting their promotional efforts.

The team then traveled to Delft, a city frozen in the prosperity and art of the 17th-century Dutch Golden Age. They visited the famous 'Royal Delft' known for its blue pottery and admired the beautiful Delft Square. Inspired by the stunning view, Micky Kwang-soo initiated an impromptu busking session. Despite the sudden request, Park Ki-young delivered a flawless performance, blending piano and Jo Maeryeok's guitar, captivating passersby who stopped to enjoy the music. The team seized the opportunity to promote their concert further.

The day before the concert, Park Ki-young, Micky Kwang-soo, and Jo Maeryeok visited Wouter Hamel's rehearsal space, where his band was already preparing. With the full band assembled for the guerrilla concert, Hamel expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Let's create beautiful music.” They began with 'Butterfly,' translated by Park Ki-young, but initial rehearsals were rocky. Tensions rose as Park Ki-young suggested revising the lyrics, leading to a brief walkout by Hamel. Despite the challenges, they persevered through over six hours of rehearsal.

While Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel focused on music, Micky Kwang-soo and Jo Maeryeok donned traditional Korean hanbok for a final promotional push. They also prepared a meal of tteokbokki and kimchi pancakes for the exhausted musicians. After rehearsal, Park Ki-young returned to her accommodation due to fatigue, while Hamel and the band enjoyed a Korean food party with Micky Kwang-soo and Jo Maeryeok, rallying for the upcoming performance.

On the day of the concert, a shocking development occurred: Park Ki-young lost her voice. Despite her illness, she had practiced late into the night, worsening her condition. The production team prepared for the possibility of Jo Maeryeok stepping in, hoping for Park Ki-young's recovery. Fortunately, she managed to prepare for the stage, but an hour before the concert, the venue was nearly empty. Micky Kwang-soo expressed concern, saying, “We must consider the possibility of failure.” However, as a local Dutch broadcaster arrived to cover the event, the pressure to succeed intensified. As the concert time approached, the audience gradually filled in, but only 200 attendees were present 15 minutes before the start. Even the production team anticipated a failed mission.

Amidst the anxiety, Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel took the stage, removing their blindfolds to reveal 311 audience members, marking a successful mission. They began the concert with Park Ki-young's 'Start,' followed by a harmonious duet of 'Butterfly' and 'Shampoo Fairy.' The 'extreme music journey' strengthened the bond between Park Ki-young, Wouter Hamel, Micky Kwang-soo, Jo Maeryeok, and the production team. Their songs are available on various music platforms, including Apple and Spotify, under 'Duet Across the Sea Netherlands Edition (PART1).' The music video for 'Shampoo Fairy,' featuring a romantic vibe between Park Ki-young and Wouter Hamel, is available on the 'Duet Across the Sea' website.

The 'extreme music journey' show 'Duet Across the Sea' airs every Thursday at 9:50 PM on KBS 2TV. KCM, set to appear on the show, will reveal behind-the-scenes stories on KBS Cool FM's 'Park Myung-soo's Radio Show' on October 8th at 11 AM.

Recently, KCM made headlines by sharing his personal story, hidden for 13 years. He revealed that he welcomed his first daughter in 2012 but couldn't hold a wedding due to personal financial issues. After clearing his debts, KCM had a second daughter in 2022 and a third son last year. His wife gained attention for her resemblance to NewJeans member Minji.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr