G-Voice's 20th Anniversary Performance: Korea's Gay Choir

In a society that has yet to overcome systemic and societal discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, it's natural for many to remain "in the closet." Yet, in the face of persistent discrimination and prejudice in Korea, there exists a group that has been expressing their gay identity through song for two decades. Meet 'G-Voice,' where the voices of gay individuals never fade.

• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: Juyeon, 지니

• Writer of the original text: 희중

• Review and amendments to the original text: 레이, Miguel

Q: Can you introduce G-Voice to us?

A: G-Voice began in November 2003 as a sub-group of the Korean gay rights organization, "Chingusai." We are Korea's first openly LGBTQ+ choir, with members ranging from their 20s to 50s, coming from various professions. While cisgender gay individuals make up the majority, we also have members with diverse gender identities and orientations. As of 2023, we have about 30 members.

G-Voice's 20th-anniversary concert poster features cartoon-like depictions of dozens of G-Voice members singing against a pastel-toned background. In the back row, a figure appears to be sprinkling stars from a magic wand. (Source: G-Voice)

Q: We heard you're preparing a special performance for your 20th anniversary. Can you tell us more about the plans for this concert?

A: We are preparing a stage to celebrate our 20th anniversary, look back on our past activities, and express our gratitude to the audience who have supported and encouraged G-Voice over the years. We are especially focusing on performing selected original songs that have held significant meaning for us. We will also be performing various songs from our 20th-anniversary album, which was released earlier this year.

한국어 제목	영어 제목
벽장문을 열어	Open the closet
교정의 추억	​Memories of School
종로의 기적	Miracle of Jongno
게이데이	Gay Day
세상아 너의 죄를 사하노니	World, I Fogive Your Sins
쉽지 않아	It's Not Easy
북아현동 가는 길	The Road to North Ahyeon-dong
오빠의 결혼식	Brother's Wedding
들어봐	Listen
고백	Confession
립싱크가수	Lipsync Singer
이십년 후	Twenty Years Later
콩그레츄레이션즈	Congratulations
외 다수

*The English lyrics for the 20th-anniversary commemorative album are posted on the Chingusai website

(https://chingusai.net/xe/g_voice/626382)

Q: G-Voice has been active for 20 years in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in Korea that became visible from the 1990s. How has G-Voice spent each of those 20 years?

A: Apart from when there's a specific LGBTQ+ issue, we usually focus on our regular performance schedule. We start practicing at the beginning of the year, recruit new members, attend a music camp in the spring, intensify preparations for performances in the summer, host regular performances in the fall, and have screening and evaluation meetings in the winter. When there's an LGBTQ+ issue, we participate through choral singing, and sometimes we receive invitations to perform at other organizations or events.

Q: It doesn't seem like an easy task to perform publicly as a gay choir in Korean society, where there are still challenges in being socially active with an LGBTQ+ identity. Can you share some challenges you've faced?

A: While G-Voice as an organization has come out, not all individual members have done the same, which sometimes limits our activities. (For example, some members might be uncomfortable having their photos or videos shared in public, so we always check in advance.) Also, since we're a choir with an LGBTQ+ identity, it's a challenge to incorporate that identity into our songs and performances, which is different from regular choirs.

Poster of the movie “Weekends”. Eight members of G-Voice are sitting on a stage with a red velvet curtain background, illuminated by bright stage lights. In the upper left corner, there's a lyrical quote: "It’s okay my friend. Listen to my song."

Q: The documentary film “Weekends” (2016) served as a medium for the public to engage with G-Voice. It gained recognition both domestically and internationally, including an official invitation to the Panorama section of the Berlin International Film Festival and even winning the Panorama Audience Award. Since then, have there been any events that have caught the attention of non-Korean queers towards G-Voice?

A: To mention a few external activities,

2017. 6. 2.~4.	Held the 2nd Asian LGBTQ+ Choir Festival "Hand in Hand in Seoul"
2019. 9. 17.	Release of G-Voice Storybook "Sun-Gay Seoul"
2020. 9. 18. ~ 24.	12th DMZ International Documentary Film Festival screening of 'Weekends & G-Voice' (https://youtu.be/qSTfV134PU8?si=OFE4P5lN3rn68h4Z)
2021. 5. 13.	Appearance on KBS2 Docu Insight episode titled “Rainbow Light”

Moreover, we've collaborated with songs in issues related to disabilities, migrants, military rights, sexual violence, and the struggle for anti-discrimination legislation.

Cover photo of the G-Voice Storybook "Sun-Gay Seoul". It has "Sun-Gay Seoul" printed in pink at the top, with seven G-Voice members closely huddled together, posing sensuously. (Source: Chingusai's website)

Q: While not as well-known as G-Voice, there are several queer performing arts groups in Korea. Does G-Voice have any distinctive direction in its activities?

A: We try to turn the drawbacks of being an amateur choir into our strengths. That means we aim for a free artistic expression that goes beyond traditional artistic forms, crossing boundaries of genre and format. Collaborations with artists like siren eun young jung in 2016 and 2019's "Anomalous Fantasy", and Im Heung-soon in 2018's "Brothers Peak", resonate with this context. The stage we aspire to focuses more on creating our own songs, which tell the stories we want, and presenting them in a way that we can best express. Above all, the perseverance shown by continuing our activities without a break for 20 years, even as members change, is also a characteristic of G-Voice.

Q: What is the driving force that allows G-Voice, with its broad base of activities and a relatively long history, to remain active today?

A: It's because of the members we have. We have long-standing members and continuously new members joining. Thanks to those who consistently raise their voices in this changing world and those who steadfastly keep their place, we have been able to continue our activities. And the reality of the Korean society that still discriminates against LGBTQ+ is another reason we need to keep going.

Q: It seems that harmony among various sounds is especially important in a choir. How is the process of tuning voices together? Could you share a fun anecdote from your practice?

A: It's hard to share all the stories we have during practices. Initially, we provided secret personal training for tone-deaf members, taught singing by inverting a bucket on their head, had only specific parts stay for extra practice, or did lip-syncing to hide mistakes, among other anecdotes. However, due to the nature of G-Voice where amateur new members continuously join, we shifted our artistic direction away from seeking technical expertise. Singing in a choir means opening up, not imposing one's voice, caring for and relying on the person next to you. These are the basics for creating harmony. When individual sounds come together to formrich harmonic music and when that music carries a heartfelt message, I believe that choral music can offer a catharsis more powerful than any other art. Q: What would you like to say to those who wish to become members in the future?

A: Anyone who sympathizes with the direction of G-Voice and has the will to sing with us can become a member. Singing skills, age, gender, orientation, nationality, race, language, or physical characteristics aren't limiting factors at all. If I were to ask for more, it would be wonderful to have dedicated individuals willing to spend time and effort to build a beautiful community.

G-Voice New Member Recruitment Poster. At the bottom of the poster, there's an introduction to G-Voice with its social media accounts. In the center, there's an image of G-Voice members performing on stage. Members in black t-shirts and jeans are spreading their arms wide towards the sky. (Source: G-Voice SNS)

Q: Please share the communication channels through which readers can reach out to G-Voice. A:

E-Mail gvoiceseoul@gmail.com INSTAGRAM @g_voice1120 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gvoiceseoul

YOUTUBE @G_VoiceTV

For inquiries about joining: KakaoTalk Channel G-Voice

Q: Lastly, could you promote how readers can attend this year's regular performance?

A:

Title - G-Voice 20th Anniversary Concert 'Sing Sing Sing'

Date - October 8th, 2023, 6:00 p.m.

Venue - Mapo Foundation for Arts and Culture (MFAC) Art Hall Mac (https://kko.to/_eV8Sqkmha)

Tickets - https://www.tinyticket.net/event-group/EGAFILOnqTxw

Newsletters & SNS

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• English Translation: 피웊

• Translation review: Juyeon, 지니

• Writer of the original text: 희중

• Review and amendments to the original text: 레이, Miguel

References (available in Korean)