Meeting Quartet, a singing group comprising clergy members each from Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism and Won Buddhism, on April 9 practice at a cabin of a Won Buddhist temple in the Heukseok-dong neighborhood of Seoul's Dongjak-gu District.

By Gil Kyuyoung
Photos = Lee Jeong-woo

"Look at the green pine needles in the field, nobody's caring for them."

A familiar melody was heard on April 9 upon opening the door of a cabin of a Won Buddhist temple in the Heukseok-dong neighborhood of Seoul's Dongjak-gu District. Inside were clergy members of four religions singing "Evergreen" by singer Yang Hee-eun, each in a different tone.

"How about singing this part faster?"

"Please raise the sound a little higher here."

Their laughter did not stop in exchanging their opinions of the song.

Meeting Quartet is a vocal group comprising the Rev. Kim Jin (Protestantism), Father Ha Sung Yong (Catholicism), Abbot Sung Jin (Buddhism) and the Ven. Park Sewoong (Won Buddhism). The four got to know one another while appearing on a TV show, and thanks to Abbot Sung's suggestion, they formed the troupe in 2022.

"Music is a cultural element that anyone can enjoy regardless of religion," the Rev. Kim said on why the four teamed up. "We wanted to meet and communicate with various people via songs."

The quartet's main repertoire includes songs the public is familiar with such as "Beautiful World," "You Don't Have to Worry," "I Have No Problem" and "Let's Run Away."

"Everyone knows and can easily sing along to pop songs," Priest Park said. "Because this consensus had already been formed, both religious and non-religious people can unite."

Meeting Quartet members on April 9 speak in an interview with Korea.net. From left are Father Ha Sung Yong (Catholicism), the Rev. Kim Jin (Protestantism), Abbot Sung Jin (Buddhism) and the Ven. Park Sewoong (Won Buddhism).

With three years of activity, the group has performed on stage over 200 times. Their growing fanbase includes those expressing interest in religion after hearing the quartet sing and others who say they are not religious but back the group's activities.

So what about this foursome has captivated the public and transcended religious barriers?

"Actually, we're really bad at singing. Some say we'll lose our charm if we sing too well," Father Ha said with a smile. "But we bravely face the challenge each time and enjoy the process. I think that is what makes many empathize with us and gain courage when seeing us."

When asked if the group has any difficulties working together due to their religious differences, he said, "We acknowledge our differences and respect each other's territory so hardly any conflict arises," adding, "I think our activities have played an important role in breaking the preconception that differences make conflict inevitable."

"In working with Meeting Quartet, the burden on my shoulders has grown much lighter," Priest Park added. "I realized that each religion can join forces to make the world a better place."

Father Ha Sung Yong (top left corner) said, "Differences can be an opportunity to share the values and beauty of diversity rather than a cause of conflict."

Meeting Quartet's most memorable performance was in May last year at Arirang Nursing Home in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, singing for Goryeoin, or ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union and Central Asia forced to leave their motherland during Japanese rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910-45. The response was initially lukewarm but all that changed when the quartet sang "Spring in My Hometown" to conclude their concert.

"The elderly patients teared up and each started singing along," Abbot Sung said. "They'd nearly forgotten their mother tongue but instinctively responded to the word 'hometown.' I can't describe in words my overwhelming emotion at the time. It felt like reuniting with a family separated for a very long time."

The group also fondly remembered performing on the streets of New York in August last year for a concert at the Church Center for the United Nations.

Abbot Sung said, "We sang 'Raise Me Up' at Ground Zero, an underground shopping mall built on the site where the World Trade Center was. Someone came up to us and said our song touched his heart and made his day."

The four members of Meeting Quartet on April 9 make a heart gesture with their fingers and smile after their interview.

Meeting Quartet is also going beyond Korea to spread their message abroad. They said their "big dream" is to sing at U.N. headquarters like the K-pop boy band BTS did and win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Rev. Kim said, "We don't want to stop at just singing, we want to meet people to plant the seeds of peace throughout the world."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr