“Seniors Rocked Suseo Station on a Friday Afternoon”

The cultural arts troupe of the Korean Association of Retired Persons (KARP, President Juch Myong-Yong)    energized the plaza of Suseo Station in Gangnam, Seoul, for about an hour and a half starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, the 27th.

Composed of a traditional Chwita band, a samulnori percussion team, and a senior rock band, the KARP cultural troupe delivered a lively and joyful TGIF (Thank God, It’s Friday) atmosphere to citizens passing through the station square.

The performance was organized under the theme “Seniors Shake Up Friday Afternoon,” aiming to fill an urban public space with senior-led cultural performances and create a new kind of city plaza culture. 

The program began with a parade by a 16-member traditional Chwita band, followed by an eight-member samulnori performance, and concluded with a live performance by the seven-member senior band “Heydays.” Passersby at Suseo Station paused to watch, offering enthusiastic applause for the performers whose energy rivaled that of much younger artists.

As the rhythmic samulnori performance reached its peak, audience members swayed their shoulders, shouted encouragement, and even danced along, creating a vibrant and interactive atmosphere ,

The senior band Heydays heightened the mood with a medley of nostalgic hits, including “A Cup of Coffee,” “Living Without Knowing the World,” “Woman in the Rain,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” “It’s Been a While,” and “Sweet Caroline.” Some audience members sang along and, unable to contain their excitement, stepped forward to dance near the stage.

During the performance, President Juch Myong-Yong, who also played bass, presented small cash gifts to two particularly enthusiastic audience members, drawing warm applause. The show concluded with an encore performance of “Hang on Sloopy.”

This event marked KARP’s second performance of the year, following a previous show held at Nowon Station on February 20.

President Juch Myong-Yong emphasized the significance of the event, stating,

“Seniors are not a generation that retreats to the margins of society, but one that continues to create the culture and energy of the city. This TGIF performance will be the beginning of a new public plaza culture created together by seniors and citizens.”