SBS's "The Story That Goes On and On" (hereinafter "Kkokkomu") revisited the touching moment of Cho Yong-pil's Pyongyang concert in the summer of 2005. The 190th episode of "Kkokkomu," aired on the 28th, featured legendary events from SBS's 35 years of establishment, centering on "That Summer, Cho Yong-pil in Pyongyang." Notably, footage of Cho Yong-pil's Pyongyang concert was unveiled for the first time in a 4K remastered version after 20 years.

The broadcast traced back to July 2004. At that time, SBS PD Oh Ki-hyun received a request for Cho Yong-pil's solo concert in Pyongyang from a North Korean official. Cho Yong-pil was a representative artist of the Korean pop music scene but had never visited North Korea. Although the SBS production team conveyed the proposal to Cho Yong-pil, he initially declined after careful consideration. However, he was moved by the remark, "There are fans in North Korea too," and SBS formed a Pyongyang concert task force (TF) to begin negotiations.

Subsequent talks in Mount Kumgang were temporarily halted due to North Korea's sudden military exercises. Nevertheless, North Korea did not waver in its determination to hold the concert. The broadcast revealed documents expressing North Korea's strong will for the first time. Minho said, "My heart is shaken too," while Heize described it as "It feels more like a fan letter than an official document." After North Korea's official declaration as a nuclear power, the situation on the Korean Peninsula became turbulent again, but North Korea's pursuit of Cho Yong-pil continued.

Both South and North Korean sides discussed issues such as equipment transportation and agreed to move the scale of the concert held in South Korea to Pyongyang. It was finally decided to hold the concert at the Ryugyong Jong Ju-yong Gymnasium, as requested by the South. However, the preparation process was complicated. Tensions rose as permission to transport hundreds of tons of equipment was delayed. The equipment headed to Nampo Port in North Korea, but the departure was postponed, causing complications. When no one was at the port, dozens of trucks and workers suddenly appeared, turning the situation around. Heize exclaimed, "Twist, another twist, and yet another twist," and Minho said, "Everything feels like a movie."

During the setup of the stage, lighting, sound, and instruments by dozens of staff from both sides, Insooni said, "It's touching." However, variables arose even during rehearsals. On the evening before the concert, Cho Yong-pil added "Solo Arirang" to the setlist. This song was originally a South Korean song but was known as a traditional folk song in North Korea. Securing the sheet music and practicing continued late into the night, but another variable occurred when North Korean security personnel asked Cho Yong-pil and the staff to leave the venue for inspection.

Finally, the Pyongyang concert, prepared for a year, began. Seeing the North Korean audience flood in at once, Insooni expressed her emotion, saying, "I feel like crying." The venue was filled with about 7,000 people. Cho Yong-pil delivered a flawless performance, but the North Korean audience's characteristic lack of reaction continued. In an interview at the time, Cho Yong-pil shared, "The moment I looked at the audience, I froze. Because there were no expressions, it felt like my breath stopped."

"Kkokkomu" revealed for the first time who the audience was and shared hidden stories. Kim Cheol-ung, a defector pianist, explained, "They were musicians in Pyongyang," mentioning that most of the audience were cultural artists and officials. He said, "Knowing Cho Yong-pil itself is illegal in North Korea. Even if they know, they couldn't react from the start." Nevertheless, Cho Yong-pil calmly continued the concert, lightening the mood with gentle jokes. Afterwards, the audience softened and the concert continued with enthusiastic responses.

After the 110-minute concert ended, Heize said, "I feel like crying. It's touching," and Insooni added, "It's touching." Unprecedented standing ovations and encores followed the concert, and Cho Yong-pil sang "Solo Arirang." It was a moment when the stage and the audience became one. Heize said, "I felt the power of music is tremendous, and sincerity truly connects." Insooni expressed, "I have respect for standing on stage and performing perfectly."

The day after the concert, Cho Yong-pil looked at a large-scale comprehensive sports stadium that could accommodate 150,000 people and expressed his dream of visiting North Korea again to sing there. However, this dream has not been realized even after 20 years. Insooni shed tears, saying, "I hope that day comes soon before senior Cho Yong-pil gets any older." The three MCs, Jang Do-yeon, Jang Hyun-sung, and Jang Sung-kyu, emphasized the power of music, leaving the impression that "small communication and exchange overcome solid barriers."

"Kkokkomu" airs every Thursday at 10:20 PM and is a program where three "storytellers" study on their own and share what they have felt with their respective "story friends."