Field Sketch

Joyful 'Her' House Concert

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Photo Credits: Courtesy of Event Organizers

Ryu Seung-joo, known as the wife of actor and model Ricky Kim, is an established musical actress known for her roles in productions such as Dream Girls, Bad Guys, and The Wedding Singer. Along with her family, she gained fame in South Korea through the television program Oh My Baby. The audience watched the growth of their charming children and the couple's on-screen endeavors through various variety shows. Now, for the Hollywood pursuits of Ricky Kim, they have been settled in Los Angeles for four years. More strikingly, for the past year and a half, they have embarked on a journey from Guatemala, traveling nomadically with their three children, reportedly including brief stays in New York and New Jersey.

Despite the lingering cold on a weekend evening, the lively, delightful sounds from the house concert were apparent before even stepping inside. Although there was time before the concert began, the warmth, kindness, and joy of the people were already palpable from the entrance, with a sense of the happiness that would soon fill the space.

Composer and concert planner Kim Yoo-shin, famous for Lee Seung-chul's "Mother," prepared this intimate concert with his band, featuring cello, guitar, keyboard, and drums. It was a unique opportunity to enjoy music comfortably at home, with delicious homemade cocktails and wine awaiting the guests. Every corner of the preparation was alive with anticipation—from setting up food, photos, and stage decorations to the small talk of greeting guests and the audio adjustments in preparation for the concert. Ricky Kim busily prepared a video shoot for the star of the evening—his wife—while ensuring the lighting and audio were perfect.

The concert opened with The Beatles' "Love." Singing turned into conversations, greetings, embraces, and laughter. Love was about sharing songs, emotions, and listening to sorrows—a seemingly ordinary yet meaningful time that would become a cherished memory.

The next piece was "Living as a Mother." Recalling the past as a young girl, a daughter, a beautiful time, a strong presence now embodied as 'mother' inevitably moved the audience to tears. The concept of motherhood symbolizes the first love received, an always-unfavorable yet incomprehensible love that only reveals its depth upon departure.

In a life filled with painful memories, everything passes for a reason. As the song "Don't Worry" conveyed, this period of wandering, of seeking a higher voice and purpose without a clear plan, Ryu saw the obedience and faith of her husband. God replaced the worldly glamor of acting, modeling, and entertainment with a mission—InspirAgain: to communicate love through media with those small, weary, and struggling. Their journey began in Guatemala, with their first support project aligning with this vision discovered through unplanned exploration.

As this year marks a beginning for the Ryu family in following their divine calling, the Mom & I representative reflected on 20 years of their publication. The words, spoken gently yet movingly, conveyed that neither grand goals nor missions had driven the journey; rather, it was the effort of each moment, the resilience, and dedication woven to reach this milestone, whether starting anew or reflecting on two decades—the heart and love remain constant.

The final song, "Hope," captured the sentiment of wanting to transport everyone to that space, back to the time when these melodies were first shared, with wishes to guide others rather than walking a solitary path.

Gathering around, listening to music, snapping photos, and enjoying an after-party that blurred the passage of time—these warm, cherished moments had already turned into beautiful memories.

[Link to original Korean article]

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