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“Standing right on the East Sea / Shining bright when I see ya / Every day and night / We’re getting closer… Come to D.O.K.D.O”

Dokdo, Becomes Art Works Through ‘ISLAND’

On October 15, NAHF held a production presentation of Dokdo song 'ISLAND' and music video. ‘ISLAND’ is a song made to publicize Dokdo to all Koreans and foreigners. It is evaluated as sensual and sophisticated with the genre of rhythm and blues and pop. This new song, produced by several artists, was performed by singer Lee So-jung, and lyricists and composers DINT, T-lack and Hertz participated. It is a Dokdo song released about 40 years after the singer Jung Kwang-tae's 1982 Dokdo is Korean Land.

Most of the existing promotional videos and educational resources on Dokdo were made in a dark and heavy atmosphere. However, this music video was created and produced to be exciting, enjoyable, and easy for anyone to understand. There are also beautiful images of Dokdo with speedy shooting with drones. In the video, the Korean Territory(韓國領) sign appeared to make it natural to know that Dokdo is Korean territory.

Video for Young Generations and Foreigners

The director who produced the music video, Park Chan-kwon, said: “The NAHF suggested that we make a trendy video. I was worried a lot from the planning stage. I wanted to make a video that would marvel at the beauty of Dokdo by the younger generation and foreigners. I hoped they would recognize Dokdo as the island of the Republic of Korea. The Korean lyrics were captioned in the video.”

Singer Lee So-jeong said: “I was offered a song for Dokdo and thought. 'Am I really qualified to be a fairy of Dokdo?' However, I wanted to make a good work that informs Korean land and beautiful island Dokdo. Dokdo was a very magnificent and beautiful island, but it seemed a little lonely. I hope that Dokdo will be known both at home and abroad with my song.”

A Work Done in Collaboration with Many People

There was full support from experts in various fields in the production of Dokdo song ‘ISLAND’ and music video. Singer Lee So-jung, gayageum player Jung Min-ah, makeup artist Ham Kyung-sik, Yeomi TV(FPV drone shooting team), and modern Hanbok Hapley donated their talents. In addition, with the help of the Korea Coast Guard, we have been making music videos for two days from August 17th, staying in Dokdo and nearby sea. The Korean Culture and Information Service, the Ministry of Education, Ulleung-Gun Office, Gyeongbuk Provincial Police, and Hanbok Advancement Center also cooperated.

President Lee Young-ho of NAHF said: “The period to produce was short and the weather was not good. But the Korea Coast Guard helped us a lot, so we were able to shoot Dokdo and produce video. If we have another chance to shoot, we want to express Dokdo more new and cool. War of public relations using digital media is underway over Dokdo. Dokdo Song and music video were completed with the passion of many people who donated their talents.” Lee Sang-in, a spokesman for the Korea Coast Guard, said, “I’ve seen a lot of videos of Dokdo, but the vocals and gayageum players have made the scenery of Dokdo the most beautiful. It was touching.”

‘ISLAND’ can be downloaded from major music sites such as Genie, Melon, and Vibe, and music video can be watched through SNS. The Korean Culture and Information Service plans to promote the music & music video overseas through www.korea.net, www.factsaboutkorea.go.kr. In addition to the music video, NAHF produced promotional videos that filmed undisclosed areas and underwater areas of Dokdo, with entertainer Kim Gye-ran. The video hit 800,000 views in five days of its release. In the future, NAHF will make it easier for people to know about historical issues and try to make it feel more familiar to people.