Connecting & Outreachn
My Success is Measured in the Sucess of the Artists I Work With
Hanyang University (Korea), Capilano University, First Nations University & University of Saskatchewan
Throughout my travels, I have endeavored to connect Canadian artists and organisations with their international peers. To date this ongoing volunteer outreach & networking has directly resulted in over twenty projects featuring Canadian artists & their works in six countries & eight new languages since 2021.
As part of this effort, I am thrilled to share:
Article: The Korea Times
Young artists from Korea, Canada join hands to create historical musical ‘R:LINK’
Article by Lee Gyu-leen | Published Mar 21, 2025 6:10 pm KST | Updated Mar 23, 2025 10:28 am KST
Source: www.koreatimes.co.kr
Students perform a song from the musical “R:LINK” during an event celebrating its launch at the Monument for the Participation of Canada in the Korean War, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
GAPYEONG — Young artists from Korea and Canada are joining hands to create the historical musical “R:LINK,” based on the Battle of Kapyong, now known as Gapyeong, during the 1950-53 Korean War.
Celebrating the 2024-2025 Korea-Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges, students and professors from Korea’s Hanyang University and Canada’s University of Saskatchewan, Capilano University and First Nations University of Canada are co-writing and producing the musical to commemorate the battle.
During the Battle of Kapyong, fought in April 1951, the vastly outnumbered United Nations forces — primarily Canadian, Australian and New Zealand — checked the Chinese advance on Korea’s capital, Seoul.
“This year is the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, the 75th year since the Korean War started and marks 62 years of relations between Korea and Canada. When I visited Canada last year … what really surprised me was that so many Canadians remember Gapyeong; they know the name and about the battle. They haven’t forgotten,” Culture Minister Yu In-chon said during the event launching the musical’s production on Friday, at the Monument for the Participation of Canada in the Korean War in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province.
“Personally, I was quite embarrassed. I saw that there was a monument built with rocks from Gapyeong. And I made a vow that we must never ever forget the help that we received from our allies.”
Culture Minister Yu In-chon speaks during an event to launch the production of the musical “R:LINK” at the Monument for the Participation of Canada in the Korean War in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
The project draws inspiration from the true story of a Canadian soldier at the time, who played ice hockey on the frozen Imjin River. The musical will revolve around Korean soldier Seok-gu and Canadian soldier David, who is an aspiring ice hockey player. The pair build a friendship and alliance for peace through ice hockey on the frozen river of Gapyeong during the war.
The minister said that the musical’s co-production would be a meaningful opportunity to explore the theme of freedom and democracy.
“Through the musical ‘R:LINK,’ young people from Canada and Korea are brought together to talk about the past, leading to the present and even going on toward the future. It serves as a reminder to us that we should never ever take freedom and democracy for granted as we often do. And I hope that this mindset will lead on in the heart of these young adults from two countries through this work,” the minister said.
“I hope this performance by Koreans and Canadians, which has been prepared with a lot of passion will become very successful, and I hope that everyone will applaud them and give them support so that people who should watch it will watch it.”
Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney speaks during an event to launch the musical “R:LINK” at the Monument for the Participation of Canada in the Korean War in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
During the event, a group of cast members from both countries performed one of the key songs from the musical, giving a glimpse of the touching story.
The musical will premiere on July 26 and 27 at Content Korea Lab Stage in Seoul and will make its way to Canada, performing at Capilano University’s BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts in Vancouver on Aug. 15 and 16.
“I really think ‘R:LINK’ is more than just a musical; it’s a tribute to history. It’s a bridge between cultures and really a wonderful symbol of the Canada-Korea friendship. And so wonderful to see this collaboration,” Canadian Ambassador to Korea Tamara Mawhinney said as she gave a message of encouragement to the participating students.
“It calls to mind very much my own profession of diplomacy. You are more than performers, light technicians, designers and directors. You are cultural ambassadors and are contributing to the future of Korea-Canada relations. I’m very confident that this cultural co-creation is going to inspire as much as it honors those who came before us.”
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cultural exchange between Yu and Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge in June 2024, both countries have planned various programs, including a children’s and youth film festival from March to July, a jazz festival from June to October and special contemporary art exhibitions in August.