by Tupou Vaiplulu Jr

A group of choristers from South Korea performed at a Tonga Hope Concert, held in the Falemasiva Hall at Tailulu College, Havelu, last week,

Eight leading members of the Gracias Choir travelled to Tonga for the performance on 13 June, including tenors Julio Gonzalez and Hyuk Ji Shin, flutist Haein Jung, and pianist Soobin Park. They performed songs like 'My Heart Will Go On' by Celine Dion and 'It Is Well'. For their last performance, they impressed the audience with their rendition of a Tongan hymn 'Eiki Koe 'Ofa 'A'au'.

The 100 member Gracias Choir and Orchestra was founded by Ock Soo Park, an evangelist based in Gangnam, Seoul. He also founded the Good News Mission, a Christian-based religious movement and the International Youth Fellowship (IYF).

IYF was established as a worldwide youth organization and international NGO based on Christian mindset in 2001, to raise leaders with a global insight through youth education, with 215 branches worldwide.