Koreana (band)

Koreana
Also known asArirang Singers (former)
OriginSeoul, South Korea
Genres
Years active1962-1995
Labels
Members
  • Hong Hwa-ja
  • Lee Seung-kyu
  • Lee Yong-kyu
  • Lee Ae-sook

Koreana, formerly known as Arirang Singers, were a South Korean band. They were formed in 1962 and started being popular internationally after they released their debut album DisCorea on Polydor label in 1979. The single "Dark Eyes" from the eponymous album was a big hit. After the great success, they continued to release more albums: Burning Fantasy (1980) and Highlights (Too Much Love) (1983). They are best known for playing "Hand In Hand", the official song of the Seoul 1988 Summer Olympics, sung in both Korean and English. The song was released as a single with "Victory" as its B-side, and became a hit. The band followed up with another charting single, "Living For Love", with B-side "One In A Million".[1]

Long-time group member Jerry Lee Yong-Gyu died in early 2021 of cancer.[2]

Members

Classic Lineup

  • Cathy Lee Oea-Sook - vocals, keyboard, piano, electronic drums, tambourine, guitar
  • Marie Hong Hwa-Ja - vocals, bass guitar, keyboard, keytar, electronic drums
  • Tom Lee Seung-Kyu - vocals, guitar, saxophone, flute, trumpet, trombone
  • Jerry Lee Yong-Gyu - vocals, electronic drums, percussion, trumpet (Died: 2021)

[3]

Past Members

  • Sam Hong Sin-Yun
  • Michel Hong Yun-Shik
  • Annie Hong Young-Hee

Discography

Albums

  • 1979: DisCorea
  • 1980: Burning Fantasy
  • 1983: Highlights (Too Much Love)
  • 1988: Hand In Hand
  • 1990: Living For Love
  • 1993: Expo '93
  • 1996: We Are One

Singles

  • 1978: "I Love Rock'n Roll Music" b/w "Song Of Arirang"
  • 1979: "Dark Eyes" b/w "Troubles"
  • 1986: "Hey Daydreamer/Don't Make Me Cry" b/w "Midnight Lover" (12" Maxi)
  • 1988: "Hand In Hand"
  • 1988: "Loving You, Loving Me"
  • 1990: "Living For Love"
  • 1992: "Sail Into The Sunset"

References

  1. ^ Seoul Olympics: Official Guide and Souvenir Program to the XXIVth Olympiad 1988 by Cho Kyu-seok and Paik Sun-Kih
  2. ^ Park Han-sol (2021). "Koreana member Lee Yong-gyu loses battle with cancer." The Korea Times, 7 March 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  3. ^ Giorgio Moroder, Tom Whitlock (composers), Cathy Lee Oea-Sook, Marie Hong Hwa-Ja, Tom Lee Seung-Kyu, Jerry Lee Yong-Kyu (performers) (1988). Hand in Hand (CD). Polygram Records AG.