"100 Great People Who Made Korea Shine" (Korean:한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들) is a children's song composed by Park Moon-young and sung by Choi Young-Jun[ko] and college choir group Nosasa. The song was released in 1991 in an album of the same name. The song lists 100 historical figures in a rough chronological order, both real and mythical. The song enjoys wide recognition from South Korean public, though some of its list inclusions have been controversial.[1][2][3]
Before the song's release, comedian Choi Young-Jun, composer Park Moon-young, and the college choir group Nosasa (short for 노래를 사랑하는 사람들, 'People who Love Music') had founded the Children's History Song Club (어린이 역사노래 부르기회) in December 1990. Continuing their interest in historical children's music, the trio compiled an 12-track album with the name 100 Great People Who Made Korea Shine. The album contained five original songs (including the title song and its instrumental edition), and seven re-releases. It was published by Shinsegae Sound (then 신세계레코드, now 신세계음향공업 or SSGG Company) on LP, cassette tape, and CD formats in 1991. It received an award for Patriotic Lyrics category at the 1991 Korean Lyrics Awards (한국 노랫말 대상).[3]
In 2008 March 21, Park sued the producers of the TV show Infinite Challenge and its broadcaster MBC alleging that the show illegally modified and broadcast his copyrighted song. He later abandoned the suit after coming to an agreement with the producers.[4][5] In a 2024 interview, Park remarked that he considers the South Korean boy band BTS as the unofficial 101st entry on his list for enhancing Korea's global reputation. Park also has said this song is his favorite composition.[6]
During the 2024 South Korean martial law crisis, a remix listing 105 congresspeople who voted against Yoon Seok Yeol's impeachment became viral. Titled "105 Great Enemies who Made Treason Shine", it was released on December 10 by a YouTube channel (촛불행동tv).[7]
Music and lyrics
The song is composed of 5 verses, with the last verse repeating the refrain. All verses end with the line "History flows on" ("역사는 흐른다").[3][8] The first verse features figures from ancient times to the Three Kingdomsera, the second from the North-South States to Goryeo, the third from early Joseon, the fourth from late Joseon, and the fifth from the modern era, including the Japanese occupation and the Republic of Korea.[1]
Despite its name, the song lyric also includes widely reviled, but nonetheless influential figures such as Yi Wanyong,[1][3][6] the 7th Prime Minister of the Korean Empire who is widely regarded as a traitor for signing the Japan–Korea Annexation Treaty.[9] Park later explained that he wanted listeners to never forget that such people existed and repeat history. The song also includes mythologized or mythical figures like Hong Gil-dong.[1][3][6]
The song is widely played in elementary schools.[2]
Track listing
All lyrics are written by Park Moon-young (박문영); all music is composed by Park, except for One Heart, which was composed by Choi Jong-hyuk (최종혁).
Side A
No.
Title
Vocals
Length
1.
"100 Great People Who Made Korea Shine (한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들)"
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