This Powerful Song Calls Out Every Name of the Sewol Ferry Victims in 10 Minutes

A deeply moving tribute to the victims of the 2014 Sewol Ferry disaster is once again resonating across Korean online communities. The song, titled "Please Call Their Names" (이름을 불러주세요), is a poignant composition by Yoon Min-seok, known for his comforting and empowering music. What makes this song particularly heartbreaking and powerful is its unique structure: it dedicates over ten minutes to simply calling out the names of all 304 individuals who tragically lost their lives.

Composer Yoon Min-seok shared the story behind the song's creation, revealing that he initially considered having many people sing it. However, he ultimately decided that one person, like a *pansori* singer performing an entire epic, should deliver the names from start to finish. This profound task was taken on by Jang Han-na, a young woman who, as a high school student at the time, spent over a year standing in solidarity with the bereaved families at Gwanghwamun Square, enduring all weather conditions. She was just a year or two older than many of the student victims, making her voice particularly resonant.

Yoon Min-seok also extended his gratitude to those who helped bring the song to life: Lee Myung-soo, whose column inspired the song; Kongbori, who created the web poster; and guitarist Shin Hee-jun for his heartfelt arrangement. The post serves as a powerful reminder, especially as Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) approaches, that over 510 days after the tragedy, the truth remains elusive. Families have even formed a "Sewol Ferry Salvage Family Monitoring Group" and are camping out on Donggeochado island.

The message urges everyone to remember the victims by calling their names, singing the song (sheet music and accompaniment are provided for download), recording their own versions for social media, or joining the 416 Alliance for regular support. Above all, it's a plea to never forget the children and to stand with the bereaved families until justice is served, emphasizing that "as long as we don't forget and stand together, we will never lose."