[Exclusive]Different levels of comfort, even donations... 'Creator of Talk Concerts' Park Kyung-rim: "A time that was also essential for me" [★22nd Anniversary Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• StarNews 22nd Anniversary Special Interview with Park Kyung-rim

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Especially this year, Park Kyung-rim took the welcome step of finally returning to her audience. She held a talk concert bearing her name for the first time in seven years.

Although top stars and industry figures have long cherished Park Kyung-rim, her roots lie in the talk concert stage where she communicates closely with audiences. While talk concerts by broadcasters and comedians are now familiar content, Park Kyung-rim was the pioneer who opened this field. In 1999, she launched Korea's first talk concert in Daehangno. Since then, through every season of "Women's Private Lives Season 1: New Women Who Are Cheating," "Women's Private Lives Season 2: Successful Women," "Women's Private Lives Season 3: No(?)mantic Women," and "Listen Concert," she continued a streak of sold-out shows.

Park Kyung-rim recalled, "When I first held a talk concert in Daehangno in 1999, the reason was envy toward singers. When you go to Yangpa or Lee Moon-se's concerts, the audience looks so happy. It was enviable that everyone becomes one through songs. Although I wanted to meet my audience directly, I am not a singer. Driven by the desire to communicate, I thought as an MC, it would be good to share stories, so I started."

As Park Kyung-rim went through marriage in 2007 and childbirth in 2009, her talk concerts gained even greater depth. She said, "After getting married and having a child, when I held talk concerts, I wanted to gather those exhausted from childcare, let them enjoy happy moments, and relieve their stress. Thus, we held 'New Women Who Are Cheating,' 'Successful Women,' 'No(?)mantic Women,' and 'Listen Concert' as a series every year. Then, when COVID-19 broke out, audiences could no longer gather, and I focused more on hosting events, which led to a long gap."

Planning a talk concert after seven years, she welcomed audiences with a performance that evokes "different levels of support." The title of Park Kyung-rim's sixth talk concert is "Life Hydration." It carries a warm message of comfort: "In the marathon of life, what matters most is not the record but a sip of water (hydration) along the way."

Park Kyung-rim explained her planning intention: "At this point in time, I wondered what people today need, and decided on 'Life Hydration.' If we compare life to a marathon, running well is important, but resting properly is essential to achieve our goal of finishing. Burnout can occur along the way, so I wanted everyone to fight themselves healthily, which is why I chose this title."

Park Kyung-rim had already successfully concluded four performances in total—two each in Daegu and Seoul on August 15 and 30. With a rich lineup, she demonstrated the quintessence of an "audience-participation" performance, offering deep memories worth every ticket price.

Park Kyung-rim emphasized, "No matter how much our team meets and prepares well, the biggest portion that fills my talk concert is 'the audience.' The audience is fundamental. While I am grateful that audiences trust me, I trust our audience even more. Fully communicating with the audience is what I pursue in my talk concerts."

How did she feel about facing fans after a long time? Park Kyung-rim said, "Some came from far away, and some broke their weekly hiking routine to attend. In that sense, I felt an even greater responsibility and wondered how I could repay them for giving up such precious time. Also, seeing the audience enjoy the show I prepared gave me tremendous energy. People of all ages—from children to young adults to seniors—attended, and they were happy and empathized, which made me truly joyful. It was also a necessary time for me." She was moved to tears.

Additionally, Park Kyung-rim shared her family's supportive reactions: "My high school sophomore son watched the Daegu performance and told me, 'Mom, you worked hard.' My husband said, 'Now I understand why you wanted to hold talk concerts so much.'"

Park Kyung-rim also received special support from close celebrity colleagues. At the first Seoul talk concert, singers Lee Moon-se and Lee Soo-young sat in the audience, surprising everyone. Additionally, actors Yoon Kyeong-ho and Yu Hae-jin participated as special guests on the Daegu and Seoul stages, respectively.

Especially at the end of the performance, when Park Kyung-rim sang Lee Moon-se's "Red Sunset," Lee Soo-young jumped onto the stage and performed an energetic dance. Regarding this, Park Kyung-rim shared a behind-the-scenes story: "I knew Lee Soo-young would come that day, but it was not a pre-arranged stage. I was surprised when someone appeared from the audience. 'Who is coming out?' As they approached closer, I realized it was Soo-young. I thought, 'She couldn't contain her excitement.' I was internally so grateful that she danced with me."

Not only that, but she also did not know Lee Moon-se, the original singer of "Red Sunset," would visit. Park Kyung-rim said, "If I had known he was coming, I would have passed him the microphone when singing 'Red Sunset.' Only after finishing my stage did I notice someone in the audience who resembled (Lee Moon-se) and looked closely before realizing it. Lee Moon-se came without telling me so I wouldn't feel burdened. He gave warm words like, 'The performance structure and organization were good, and seeing you communicate as one with the audience made me very proud. You are where you belong. We look forward to your future.' I was deeply moved."

Park Kyung-rim's talk concert now has only one performance left: two shows in Busan on October 24. Park Kyung-rim said, "This performance is arranged to thank the audiences who have run well with us so far. If your steps feel too heavy, I hope you come, share a drink of water together, laugh and chat, and spend time cheering for each other." She left a message for prospective audiences.

The "Life Hydration" Busan performance will be held at Woori Bank Hall, Sohyang Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on October 24 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from this talk concert will be donated to children's hospital wards.

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*This content was translated by AI.