[4][6][10][7] Soon afterward, it had inexplicably become a popular protest song among the pro-democracy activists in South Korea, particularly with students.
[3][6][9][11][12] Despite the song lacking an overt political message and being described as "full of resolve in spite of the sorrows of life's trials",[13] its wording could be interpreted as "activists yearning for a democratic society",[6] and critical of the 1972 Yushin Constitution.
[16] Kim Min-ki's school junior, Lee Soo-man, almost received disciplinary action after singing this song on a night stage in 1978.
[19] The song has also been described as popular with North Koreans living in Japan (people affiliated with Chongryon).
[20] Kim Min-ki brought the German musical Linie 1 to South Korea and adapted it, which became a huge hit.