Perhaps one of the reasons why Gwanghwamun Sonata and G.O were such a perfect fit on the musical stage was because the story of the musical was built around ballads. I think it was brilliant of composer Lee Young Hoon to choose songs from his songbook and create a musical around them. Using the songs, the beautiful ballads he wrote, to tell a story. Along with the title song of the musical, 해바라기 [Sunflower] is one of my favorite numbers from the show. As always, G.O’s voice captures the heartfelt sorrow and regret of a man whose choices leave him alone reflecting on a love lost.
After being arrested and sent away to the military, Hyun Woo returns only to find that he has lost his wife and child to his best friend and mentor. Choices. They can forever change the course of our lives. We make choices often not knowing what consequences will occur, what we will gain, or what we will lose. The sorrow in 해바라기 [Sunflower] is heard in every note G.O sings:
나는 알고 있어요 그 추억도 잊지 않고 있죠
[I know I do not forget those memories]
* * *
슬픈 사랑 잊을 수 있도록 세월 가득 쫓기어온
[My sad love has been chased away for years to forget]
I do not think this moment (or any of them really) on the Gwanghwamun Sonata musical stage required a concerted effort of acting by G.O. Everything is so natural for him when a song leads the way, for the song is the guide for his emotions that need no prompting or persuasion. Through the lyrics, G.O understands every pain, every shred of remorse Hyun Woo feels.
If someone were to ask me what I thought an angel sounded like when it sang, I would point in the direction of G.O, every single time.
~♥~