[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Musical actress Hong Ji-min will take the stage as “the daughter of independence activist Hong Chang-sik.”

The episode of KBS2’s “Immortal Songs” airing on the 15th will feature a special segment titled “81st Anniversary of Liberation: The Dedication of the Unknown, Immortal Songs,” commemorating the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation by shedding light on the lives of six little-known independence activists.
To mark the occasion, six teams of musicians representing various genres—Hong Ji-min and Yang Jun-mo, Seo Moon-tak, Ji-sun (Loveholic), Han Hae and La Poem, Kim Jun-su and Ahn Ye-eun, and Im Gyu-hyung—will take the stage to deliver moving performances. Additionally, 52 descendants of independence activists have been specially invited to serve as the “Masterpiece Judging Panel,” adding further significance to the event.
Among them, musical actress Hong Ji-min—a descendant of an actual independence activist—is drawing attention as a contestant. Hong Ji-min’s father, independence activist Hong Chang-sik, was a member of the secret society Baekdusanhoe. At the age of 16, he carried out a mission to blow up Japanese military supplies but was imprisoned for violating the Public Order Maintenance Act; he witnessed Korea’s liberation while still behind bars.

Born in North Korea, Hong Chang-sik reportedly kept his involvement in the independence movement a secret even from his own family, fearing he might be caught up in the intense ideological conflicts that followed liberation. Hong Ji-min revealed, “I, too, only learned of my father’s history in the independence movement after he was awarded the Order of National Foundation, Medal of Patriotism,” drawing attention.
Hong Ji-min continued, “In fact, in my memory, my father was less of an independence activist and more of a dad who loved music and books and enjoyed sharing with others.” She added, “Since he passed away when I was around twenty, I didn’t know much about his history in the independence movement before then. I feel sad that I wasn’t able to tell him how proud I was of him more often.”
With these feelings in mind, Hong Ji-min will perform a tribute stage by singing Insooni’s “Father.” She will pour her unspoken feelings into the song, dedicated to her father, Hong Chang-sik—a proud independence activist whom she misses deeply.
To support Hong Ji-min’s special performance, Yang Jun-mo—a “veteran musical theater star with 23 years of experience”—joins her on stage, heightening anticipation. Yang Jun-mo, who previously gave a passionate performance as Ahn Jung-geun in the musical “Hero”—which depicts the life of the independence activist—says, “It’s such an honor to appear on ‘Immortal.’” He adds, “I’m here today 100% to support Jimin,” as he steps in to lend his support.
Hong Ji-min’s father, Hong Chang-sik, resolved to join the independence movement in 1942 and joined the secret society Baekdusanhoe to engage in anti-Japanese activities. He subsequently carried out anti-Japanese resistance in the Seongjin area of North Hamgyong Province before being arrested by Japanese police in 1943. After serving a prison sentence, he was released upon Korea’s liberation. In 1977, he received the Presidential Commendation, and in 1990, he was awarded the Order of National Foundation, Class of Patriotism.
“Immortal Masterpieces” airs every Saturday at 6:05 p.m.