The Korea National Association of Volunteer Centers (KNAVC) is embarking on a special project to remake 'Happy,' a signature volunteer song in South Korea, in commemoration of the 2026 International Year of Volunteers. This initiative will infuse new energy into the track after 12 years, bringing together original composer Yoon Il-sang, popular K-pop girl group H1-KEY, and citizens from across the nation.
'Happy' Returns with New Resonance After 12 Years
The Korea National Association of Volunteer Centers (KNAVC), led by Acting President Yoon Soon-hwa, announced plans to revitalize 'Happy,' an iconic volunteer song first released in 2014. This remake aims to commemorate the upcoming 2026 International Year of Volunteers and reinforce the meaning of volunteerism. Beyond a simple musical update, the project is expected to serve as a catalyst for more widely disseminating the values of volunteer work.
Composer Yoon Il-sang, who originally wrote the lyrics and music for 'Happy' and also serves as a volunteer ambassador, will personally participate in the arrangement, enhancing the song's quality. Joining him on vocals is the popular K-pop girl group H1-KEY, known for their bright and positive energy, which is expected to effectively convey the message of volunteerism to younger generations. Yoon Il-sang will reinterpret the original's warm message with a contemporary feel, while H1-KEY is anticipated to deliver voices of hope and encouragement through their distinctive powerful vocals.
The original song 'Happy' was produced in 2014 to commemorate National Volunteer Day, with actress Kim Yoo-jung providing vocals and Yoon Il-sang handling the lyrics and composition. It captured the happiness and gratitude experienced by volunteers in a beautiful melody, becoming a representative song that promoted the value of volunteerism at sites across the country. The remade version, set to debut with a fresh sound after 12 years, is scheduled for public release on July 1.
The 'Our Voice' Campaign: Crafted by Citizens
Central to this 'Happy' remake project is the 'Our Voice' (모두의 목소리) campaign, a citizen-participatory music production initiative. This campaign invites volunteers and citizens nationwide to record their own voices, which will then be incorporated into the remake's choral parts. This approach emphasizes that volunteerism extends beyond individual action, representing a collective social endeavor.
Citizens wishing to participate can access the official campaign page and submit an audio file of their recorded voice for a designated section of 'Happy,' along with a short message of encouragement. Participants have the freedom to choose whether or not to use accompanying instrumental music during their recording. Submitting videos of family, friends, or colleagues singing together, or providing links to social media posts featuring their participation, is also welcomed. These options are designed to further highlight the communal value of volunteerism.
The submission period for citizen voices extends until May 31, 2026, providing ample time for participation. Submitted audio will undergo quality checks and editing, with consent, for use in the remake's choral sections and various promotional content for the campaign. Furthermore, 30 participants will be selected via lottery to receive small gifts, and the names of all citizens whose voices are featured in the song will be credited.
Spreading Volunteerism: A Journey Towards the Future
Through the 'Happy' remake project and the 'Our Voice' campaign, the Korea National Association of Volunteer Centers aims to widely publicize the positive impact of volunteerism on society. The new 'Happy,' combining Yoon Il-sang's reinterpretation with H1-KEY's bright energy, is poised to become a vital medium for conveying messages of hope and encouragement to diverse audiences across all age groups.
Direct citizen participation will not only enhance the song's quality but also reaffirm that volunteerism is a communal value built together by everyone, not merely the effort of a specific group or individual. The 'Happy' remake, completed with 'Our Voice,' is set to enrich the 2026 International Year of Volunteers and encourage broader interest and participation in volunteer activities.
Thus, the 'Happy' remake project, while preserving its original meaning, is being reborn with a contemporary sensibility. It is expected to make the upcoming 2026 International Year of Volunteers even more special. The hope is that the true value and joy of volunteerism will resonate widely through everyone's voices.
