#koreana

The official soundtrack for the 1988 Seoul Olympics was performed by the four-member group Koreana. This album featured 11 tracks, notably including "Hand In Hand," which was composed by Italian musician Giorgio Moroder, and "Victory." While "Hand In Hand" garnered positive reception internationally, it faced criticism for its slower tempo, which some felt was unsuitable for an Olympic theme. The album, subtitled "Hand In Hand," was released on July 10, 1988, under Earth Records and is classified as a regular album with the catalog number JOLL-0004.

Koreana, who sang the theme song for the 88 Seoul Olympics

The 1988 Seoul Olympics represented a significant global occasion for the nation, captivating audiences worldwide as the foremost athletes showcased their talents. This event, broadcasted in homes across various countries, made the decision to create and perform an official theme song particularly challenging. The Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee (SLOOC) enlisted the renowned Italian composer Giorgio Moroder to craft the theme, which was performed by Koreana, a group with extensive international experience. Originally known as the Arirang Singers, they gained prominence through performances with the US 8th Army Show Troupe and toured regions including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Their return to Korea in the fall of 1988 coincided with their performance of "Hand In Hand," a success attributed to the efforts of their manager, Kim Young-il (김영일).

'88 SEOUL OLYMPIC SONG Album back cover

Koreana, which advanced from the 8th US Army Showdan to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, & Europe

Koreana is a musical ensemble comprising four members: Cathy Lee, Marie Hong, Tom Lee, and Jerry Lee, with Kim Young-il (김영일) serving as their leader and manager. The group includes brothers Lee Seung-gyu (이승규), Lee Yong-gyu (이용규), and Lee Ae-sook (이애숙), whose cousin, Kim Young-il, is married to Hong Hwa-ja (홍화자). Hong Hwa-ja is the elder sister of Hong Shin-bok (홍신복) from the Sesam Trio (세샘트리오), and her brother, Hong Shin-yoon (홍신윤), was the bandmaster for the US 8th Army Giant Show Troupe (미8군 자이언트쇼단), imparting musical training to the members. Lee Seung-gyu's mother, a graduate of Ueno Music College in Tokyo, was a soprano singer in Manchurian Shinkyung, which contributed to her sons' early musical recognition after they moved to Japan. Upon returning to Korea, they initially performed under the name Jeon Seung-nam (전승남) and gained fame with their six siblings, later rebranding as Korean Flowers and touring Southeast Asia until disbanding due to their mother's death.

Afterward, brothers Lee Seung-gyu and Yong-gyu sought out Kim Young-il, who was involved in management, leading to the recruitment of new members, including Hong Hwa-ja, and the reformation of the group as Five Fingers (파이브핑거스). Lee Ae-sook, following her father's path, worked in West Germany as part of Six Coins. Five Fingers achieved success in the Middle East and later rebranded as Arirang Singers, signing with Polygram Records to release their debut album "Dark Eyes," which garnered significant chart success in Europe and earned a Golden Disk. During a period of internal conflict that led to member departures, Lee Ae-sook, who had joined Cathy Lee & Coins (캐시 리 앤드 코인즈) after her father's death, was integrated into the Arirang Singers (아리랑싱어즈), contributing to the group's evolving dynamics.

'88 SEOUL OLYMPIC SONG Album Lyrics Front Page

<Hand in Hand> sung due to a connection with Polygram

Kim Young-il, who had previously collaborated with Polygram (폴리그램) on album releases, discovered that the company was spearheading the official theme song initiative for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He submitted an innovative proposal to the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee on behalf of Polygram, which received endorsement from both the organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee.

Initially, a renowned American singer was under consideration for the composition, but the accolade ultimately went to Giorgio Moroder, celebrated for his work on "Midnight Express," "Flashdance," and "Top Gun," and an Academy Award winner. While the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee expressed a preference for a well-known pop artist to perform the song, Polygram advocated for a Korean vocalist, leading to the selection of Koreana, their exclusive band proficient in English.

The popularity of < Hand In Hand > and <Victory>

Giorgio Moroder was responsible for composing the music, while Tom Whitlock contributed the lyrics for the song, collaborating on the film "Top Gun." Together, they produced ten tracks, including "Hand In Hand," which has a Korean version titled "손에 손잡고." This brings the total number of songs on the album to eleven, with the Korean lyrics penned by Professor Kim Moon-hwan (김문환) from Seoul National University. The musical arrangement, which complements emotional sports moments and grand visuals, quickly achieved significant acclaim, topping European music charts upon its release. The album's second side features "Victory," a track that promotes a spirit of sportsmanship beyond mere competition, which continued to resonate with audiences in Korea even after the Olympic Games.

'88 SEOUL OLYMPIC SONG Album Lyrics Back

The 88 Olympics opening ceremony

"Hand In Hand" achieved international acclaim but faced significant backlash in South Korea. The expert committee of the Seoul Olympic Organizing Committee criticized the song's tempo during a rehearsal for the Olympic opening ceremony, insisting it was too slow. On September 14, they requested a faster rendition and threatened to replace it with Patti Kim's (패티김) "Seoul's Hymn" (서울의 찬가) if their demands were not met, insisting that the entire song be performed in Korean. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, allowing "Hand In Hand" to be sung in Korean for the first verse and in English for the second verse during the Olympic event. The song was later reinterpreted in 2010 by hip-hop artist Cho PD (조PD), who incorporated rap elements, with Koreana also participating in the performance.

Included Songs:

Participant Credits:

The album features a collection of songs predominantly performed in English, with the exception of "Hand In Hand," which is presented in Korean. On Side A, the track "Hand in Hand" is performed by KOREANA, with English lyrics crafted by Tom Whitlock and Korean lyrics by Kim Moon-hwan, under the production of Giorgio Moroder.

Additional songs on this side include "Stay," "Love Away," "Loving You Loving," and "Restless Heart," all by KOREANA. Side B comprises "The Victory," "Listen to Your," "Live My Life," "Running Like the Wind," and "Call My Name," all performed by KOREANA, concluding with the Korean version of "Hand in Hand" (손에 손 잡고).

Participant Credits encompass various contributions to the project. The music is attributed to Giorgio Moroder, with lyrics by Tom Whitlock for all titles, while the Korean version of "Hand in Hand" features lyrics by Kim, Moon-Hwan. The publisher for all titles is GMPC (ASCAP), and the production is also credited to Giorgio Moroder.

Additional musicians include Brian Banks and Anthony Marinelli for Synclavier programming and performance, Todd Sharp and Steve Watson on guitar, Jeff Daniel on keyboards, and background vocals provided by Joe Pizzulo, Beth Anderson, and Gary Falcone. The engineering team consists of Brian Reeves and Ross Hogarth, with mixing conducted by Brian Reeves. Recording took place at Oasis Recording Studios in Universal City, Powerplay Studios in Zurich, and Arco Studio in Munich.