By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Wendy Palomo from the Philippines

Who are those children who sang the Korean national anthem, “Aegukga,” during the Opening Ceremony of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games?

They are members of the Rainbow Children’s Choir. The choir members are all kids from bicultural or non-Korean families that live here in Korea. Among the Rainbow Choir members, 47 were chosen to sing at the Olympics and they all came from different nationalities. Among these 47 children, two siblings from Nepal also participated. Meet Subin and Suyuna Sitoula.

They both go to the Dwight School Seoul and their classmates and friends were extremely proud of them, especially when they were shown on TV adorably singing the Korean national anthem during the Opening Ceremony. They were bundled up in white, red and blue with black and blue head covers.



Subin and Suyuna both joined the choir in July 2017. They regularly practice every week. For the Winter Olympics, they stayed in Pyeongchang for 11 days prior to the Opening Ceremony for rehearsals. In extremely cold weather, the children admirably practiced singing and carrying the traditional lamps in the open-air stadium.

Nepal had no delegation at the Winter Olympics this year, but the Nepalese had these two children for whom they cheered, and they were proud to be representing Nepal in the Rainbow Children’s Choir. Back in Nepal, relatives and friends watched the Opening Ceremony and they were calling and expressing their appreciation for Subin and Suyuna. The two proud parents were happy to have both their children in this very rare opportunity as part of the Winter Olympics.



Suyuna was very happy about her experience. She made friends and had fun the whole time she was in Pyeongchang. Subin felt proud to be chosen as one of the 47 performers. He knows that this is an experience that not everyone will have a chance to do. Aside from singing, they both carried a traditional lamp in the parade of nations. We saw Subin holding his traditional lamp with delegates from the Netherlands, while Suyuna walked with delegates from Pakistan.

Aside from the wonderful experience of being part of this important global event, Subin and Suyuna made lifelong friends with the other members. They practiced and lived together with the other children the whole time they were in Pyeongchang. They got to talk to their parents only at night, at the designated hour they were allowed to use their cell phones.

Not a small feat for children to be away from their parents and to perform excellently in front of millions. They rightfully deserved to be congratulated! Cheers!

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.