1. Overview
Park Moon-young, born in 1952, is a prominent South Korean lyricist, composer, producer, and writer. Throughout his diverse career, he has also been active as a singer, guitarist, and music critic. He is particularly known for his dedication to incorporating Korean history and culture into his musical and literary works, aiming to foster national pride and understanding, especially among children. He used the stage name 박인호Park In-hoKorean during his music career and the pen name 문영Moon YoungKorean as a writer.
2. Life
Park Moon-young's life journey spans from his early years in Busan to a multifaceted career that significantly influenced Korean music, broadcasting, and literature, with a consistent focus on educating and inspiring through art.
2.1. Birth and Upbringing
Park Moon-young was born in 1952 in Busan, South Korea. His father was a carpenter from Wonju, and his mother hailed from Pyeongchang County. His birth occurred in Busan, which served as a refuge during the Korean War. As a child, Park Moon-young moved with his family to Seoul and began learning to play the violin during his elementary school years, marking his early engagement with music.
2.2. Education
Park Moon-young pursued his secondary education at Daegwang Middle School and Daegwang High School. He later attended Seoul National University of Technology, where he majored in Architecture.
2.3. Early Career
After completing his military service, Park Moon-young initially worked at Daewoo Engineering, where he was involved in plant design. His early career also saw his involvement in the music scene as a member of the male duo-member guitar music group "Nondureong Batdureong" (논두렁 밭두렁Korean) alongside Kim Eun-kwang. The duo was active from 1973 to 1978.
2.4. Music Career
Park Moon-young transitioned into a full-time music career as a lyricist and composer in 1982, following the release of the song Dokdo is Our Land, performed by singer Jeong Gwang-tae. This song marked the beginning of his focus on creating music centered around Korean history and culture. In 1991, he wrote and composed 100 Great People Who Shined Korea (한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들Korean), released by comedian Choi Young-joon. This song received the Patriotic Lyrics Award at the 5th Korean Song Awards in 1991, hosted by the Korean Lyric Research Association, recognizing its contribution to national sentiment. His musical works consistently aimed to instill pride and knowledge of Korean heritage. In 2017, he produced the children's song album Pyeongchang Song (평창송Korean) to support the successful hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
2.5. Broadcasting Career
Park Moon-young's career in broadcasting began in 1977 when he joined Tongyang Broadcasting Corporation (TBC) as an FM radio producer. Following the Policy for Merger and Abolition of the Press in November 1980, he moved to the Korea Broadcasting System (KBS). At KBS, he directed several radio programs, including To You For Forgetting the Night, Hello, Hwang In-yong, Kang Bu-ja, Rock-paper-scissors, and the KBS University Song Festival. He also contributed as a writer for the KBS 2TV comedy show Humour No. 1 (유머 일번지Korean). In July 1990, he resigned from his position as a music producer for KBS FM Radio. From 1992 to 1998, he continued his work in radio as a producer for Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS).
2.6. Writing Career
Under the pen name "Moon Young" (문영Korean), Park Moon-young established himself as a prolific writer, publishing a diverse range of works. His literary output includes the poetry collection I Want to Marry You (1991). He also ventured into novels, such as Letters from Saint-Exupery from Jeongji Village (1992), a fable-style novel conceived as a sequel to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince. Another original novel, Beautiful Journey (1997), explored themes of self-enlightenment in the desert, inspired by Saint-Exupéry's disappearance. In 2009, he published the three-volume novel The Emperor - Rebirth of the Empire, which won first place in the novel category at the inaugural Korea Culture Content Contest, hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency. His contributions to children's literature include the comic series History Travel for Children - 100 Great People Who Shined Korea (1996, five volumes) and History Travel for Children - 100 Great People Who Shined the World (1996, three volumes), both written by him and illustrated by Lee Nam-woo. He also authored essay collections like You can stand up when you fall over and walk when you stand up (2013), which offers life wisdom, and The Things Anyone Dream But Can't Achieve (2014), a collection combining reminiscences and fables. In 2015, he released the picture book (No matter how many people claim to be their land) Dokdo is our territory, specifically written to educate children about Dokdo. His 2017 essay collection, Don't Worry, Mommy, focuses on finding happiness through the concept of "Mommy."
2.7. Educational and Social Activities
Park Moon-young actively promoted Korean history and culture, especially among younger generations. He established a children's history singing group and disseminated songs he wrote and composed based on Korean historical and cultural themes. He also organized and operated various educational initiatives, including a children's history camp, history song classes for children, and national history pilgrimages, all aimed at explaining Korean history to young audiences. As a music producer, he played a significant role in discovering new musical talents, including notable singers such as Kim Kwang-seok, Gil Eun-jung, Byun Jin-sub, and Siinkwa Chonjang. In November 1992, he produced A Record Celebrating Hwang Young-cho's Victory in Marathon - Mother I Did It (황영조 마라톤 제패 기념 음반 - 어머니 나는 해냈습니다Korean) to commemorate Hwang Young-cho's gold medal in the men's marathon at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
2.8. Personal Life
Park Moon-young resided with his family in Dallas, United States from 2000 to 2006.
3. Major Works
Park Moon-young's creative output spans a wide range of musical compositions and written works, reflecting his deep engagement with Korean history and culture, as well as broader human experiences.
3.1. Songs
Park Moon-young is credited with writing and composing numerous songs, many of which are patriotic or historically themed.
- Dokdo is Our Land (독도는 우리 땅Korean, 1982, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- The Secret of the Sandpiper (도요새의 비밀Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Tiger and Susukkang (호랑이와 수수깡Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Foolish Ondal and Princess Pyeonggang (바보 온달과 평강공주Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- You're like a flower (당신은 꽃처럼Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- The Earth Will Not Perish (지구는 멸망하지 않으리Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Hwarang Gwanchang (화랑 관창Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Einstein (아인슈타인Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Kwak Jae-woo, the leader of the righteous army (의병대장 곽재우Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- General Gyebaek (계백 장군Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Gwanggaeto the Great (광개토대왕Korean, 1983, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Our beautiful country (아름다운 우리 나라Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Shaking Reeds (흔들리는 갈대Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Where are you (여기가 어디냐Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Heartless me (야속한 내님Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- You and Me (너와 나Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Eyes of Farewell (이별의 눈동자Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Flowers on the edge of the road (길섶에 핀 꽃Korean, 1984, Song: Insooni)
- Kimchi Theme song (김치 주제가Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Jjarappappa (짜라빠빠Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Crocodile Hunting (악어 사냥Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Cheer up, Power (힘내라 힘Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Mask dance song (탈춤 노래Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Big rocks, small rocks (큰 바위 작은 바위Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Glisteningly (번쩍 번쩍Korean, 1985, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- Secretly shed tears (남몰래 흘리는 눈물Korean, 1988, Song: Namgoong Okbun)
- It's Not Too Late (늦지 않았어요Korean, 1990, Song: Lee Ji-yeon)
- The Season of Loneliness (외로움의 계절Korean, 1990, Song: Kang Susie)
- 100 Great People Who Shined Korea (한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들Korean, 1991, Song: Choi Young-joon)
- Mind is one (마음은 하나Korean, 1991, Song: Choi Young-joon)
- Korean warrior (대한의 용사Korean, 1991, Song: Choi Young-joon)
- We Are the Korean People (우리는 한민족Korean, 1991, Song: Choi Young-joon)
- Run Boy Go Jumong (달려라 소년 고주몽Korean, 1991, Song: Seo Sun-taek (Super Mencius))
- Teacher Baekgyeol's rice cake mill (백결 선생 떡방아Korean, 1991, Song: Seo Sun-taek (Super Mencius))
- 33 People in Anti-Japanese Struggle (항일 투쟁 33인Korean, 1991, Song: Seo Sun-taek (Super Mencius))
- My Dream (나의 꿈Korean, 1992, Recitation: Hwang Young-cho)
- Mother, I did it (어머니 나는 해냈습니다Korean, 1992, Song: Bae Young-ho)
- Cheer up, Korea! (힘내라 코리아!Korean, 1992, Song: Sorimodum)
- Friendship Made on Young Days (젊은 날에 맺은 우정Korean, 1992, Song: Muse)
- Cheer up, Power Connection Song (힘내라 힘 접속곡Korean, 1992, Song: Becoming One with Love Song)
- To the World of Dreams (꿈의 세계로Korean, 1992, Song: Samgakhyeong)
- For the emperor (황제를 위하여Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- Because of Money (돈 때문에Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- The one who taught me love (사랑을 가르쳐준 사람Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- If you want (그대가 원한다면Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- Mother (어머니Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- Missing number (결번Korean, 1993, Song: Hong Soo-chul)
- The Port of the Earth, Dokdo and Seoul (대지의 항구, 독도 그리고 서울Korean, 1994, Song: Black Hole)
- 100 Sportsmen Who Shined Korea (한국을 빛낸 100명의 스포츠맨Korean, 2001, Song: Choi Young-joon)
- Ah! Goguryeo (아! 고구려Korean, 2004, Song: Seo Hee)
- Don't Fight, Korea (대한민국 싸우지 마Korean, 2004, Song: Seo Hee)
- Swallowtail butterfly flew to Dokdo (독도로 날아간 호랑나비Korean, 2005, Song: Jeong Gwang-tae)
- New Dokdo is our territory (신 독도는 우리 땅Korean, 2006, Song: A conjurer legend)
3.2. Books
Park Moon-young has authored various books under his pen name "Moon Young":
- Poetry collection I Want to Marry You (너랑 결혼하고 싶어Korean, 1991, published by Baha).
- Original novel Letters from Saint-Exupery from Jeongji Village (정지 마을에서 보내온 쌩떽쥐베리의 편지Korean, 1992, published by Baha) - a fable-style novel serving as a sequel to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince.
- Comic series History Travel for Children - 100 Great People Who Shined Korea (어린이를 위한 역사 여행 만화 시리즈 - 한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들Korean, 1996, published by Sang-a Publishing) - a five-volume series, with Park Moon-young as the writer and Lee Nam-woo as the illustrator.
- Comic series History Travel for Children - 100 Great People Who Shined the World (어린이를 위한 역사 여행 만화 시리즈 - 세계를 빛낸 100명의 위인들Korean, 1996, published by Sang-a Publishing) - a three-volume series, also written by Park Moon-young and illustrated by Lee Nam-woo.
- Original novel Beautiful Journey (아름다운 여행Korean, 1997, published by Book Club) - a novel inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's disappearance, focusing on self-enlightenment in the desert.
- Novel The Emperor - Rebirth of the Empire (황제 - 제국의 부활Korean, 2009, published by Pyeongminsa) - a three-volume work that won first place in the novel category at the 1st Korea Culture Content Contest, hosted by the Korea Creative Content Agency.
- Essay collection You can stand up when you fall over and walk when you stand up (넘어져야 일어설 수 있고 일어서야 걸을 수 있다Korean, 2013, published by Naraebook) - a collection offering wisdom on life's reversals and the process of self-reflection.
- Essay collection The Things Anyone Dream But Can't Achieve (누구나 꿈꾸지만 아무나 이룰 수 없는 것들Korean, 2014, published by Naraebook) - a collection of essays combining personal reminiscences and fables.
- Picture book (No matter how many people claim to be their land) Dokdo is our territory ((그 누가 아무리 자기네 땅이라고 우겨도) 독도는 우리 땅Korean, 2015, published by Sky Flying Elephant) - a book written to convey information about Dokdo to children.
- Essay collection Don't Worry, Mommy (걱정 말아요, 엄마Korean, 2017, published by Naraebook) - a collection of essays exploring the discovery of a happy life through the concept of "Mommy."
4. Impact and Evaluation
Park Moon-young's work has had a significant impact on Korean popular culture, education, and national identity, particularly through his historical and patriotic songs. His most famous composition, Dokdo is Our Land, became an iconic song that solidified the South Korean claim to the Dokdo islets in the public consciousness, fostering a strong sense of national pride and territorial awareness. His subsequent works, such as 100 Great People Who Shined Korea, further reinforced this educational and patriotic mission. By creating accessible and engaging songs and books that explain complex historical figures and events, Park Moon-young played a crucial role in making Korean history relatable and instilling a sense of heritage in children. His efforts through the children's history singing group, camps, and classes demonstrate a sustained commitment to cultural education, ensuring that younger generations develop a strong understanding and appreciation of their national identity. His work is widely recognized for its positive influence on fostering a collective pride and understanding of Korean heritage.

5. Other Activities
Beyond his primary roles, Park Moon-young engaged in various supplementary professional activities. As a music producer, he was instrumental in discovering and nurturing new musical talent, including prominent artists like Kim Kwang-seok, Gil Eun-jung, Byun Jin-sub, and Siinkwa Chonjang. In November 1992, he produced a commemorative album titled A Record Celebrating Hwang Young-cho's Victory in Marathon - Mother I Did It, celebrating Hwang Young-cho's gold medal win at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics. From 1994 to 1995, he served as a judge for the popular KBS program National Singing Contest. In 2010, he joined the faculty of the Korea Conservatory (now known as the Korea Institute of International Arts) as a professor in the entertainment business department, sharing his extensive industry experience with aspiring professionals.