Lim Hyung-joo announces surprise performance at Korean Festival

September 18, 2014

Benefit concert to follow on Sept. 27 at downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre 

During the press conference at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, Lim made a surprise announcement that he will be performing at the 41st Annual Korean Festival's closing ceremony on Sunday. (The Korea Times / Park Hyun-jung)

During the press conference at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, Lim made a surprise announcement that he will be performing at the 41st Annual Korean Festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday. (The Korea Times / Park Hyun-jung)

By The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

South Korean “Popera” star, Lim Hyung-joo, 28, will be performing at downtown Los Angeles’ Orpheum Theatre on September 27.

He arrived Wednesday afternoon to prepare for a benefit concert aimed at aiding a Los Angeles non-profit group, the Somang Society. All proceeds from the concert will be used to support their current project, which plans to bring clean water wells to impoverished African communities.

As he engaged with reporters, he seemed genuinely thrilled to be here.

“When I come to Los Angeles, I feel like it is a Korean city,” he said. “The last time I was here, I received a warm reception so I am grateful to be back here.”

During the press conference at the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles, Lim made a surprise announcement that he will be performing at the 41st Annual Korean Festival’s closing ceremony on Sunday. This most likely explains his early arrival into the United States.

For his Sept. 27 concert, Lim revealed that his performances will draw from both ends of the “Popera” genre spectrum including classical opera to “disco medleys” to appeal to a wider audience.

The upcoming concert will mark the first time Lim has performed in Los Angeles as a solo headlining artist. He will be accompanied by four members of the Korean National Philharmonic orchestra.