An Interview with Elder Pak No-hi of the 430 Couples Blessing

The Little Angels of Korea, recognized as a pioneer of the Korean Wave, has introduced the beauty of Korea’s traditional culture to audiences worldwide and established itself as a symbol of cultural diplomacy. Elder Pak No-hi is one of the key figures who took part in the group’s founding and growth. Following True Parents, he has served in a wide range of educational, cultural, and religious roles. His life course transcends a personal record of service, standing as a living testimony to the providence and the spirit of his time.

Through this interview with Elder Pak No-hi, True Peace Magazine seeks to share with readers the course of his life and True Parents’ vision and purpose reflected within it.

A Life of Faith Following My Older Brother

I first came to the church during my second year of high school. My elder brother, Dr. Pak Bo-hi, encouraged me by saying, “Let’s go to a worship service together.” As someone who was like a father to me, his words naturally guided my steps. That was how I first came to visit the Cheongpa-dong Original Headquarters Church.

That day, I attended a worship service personally officiated by True Father, an experience that remains as the starting point of my faith and my first encounter with the Unification Church. Many people share that hearing True Parents’ words for the first time moved them deeply and led them to resolve to walk the path of faith. My own experience, however, was somewhat different.

From my student days, my connection with the church developed naturally, and within that steady flow, my faith gradually took root. After graduating from Seoul National University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, I served four years in the Navy.

As my discharge approached, I reflected that, as an engineering graduate, I might be called to serve in Tongil Industries if that was the direction True Parents desired. With little hesitation, I resolved to follow the path they wished for me. Packing my belongings, I moved to Sutaek-ri in Guri, and with that step, my public mission began in earnest.

Pioneers of the Korean Wave: The Little Angels

In 1962, True Parents established the Little Angels, a children’s performing arts group. At that time, American society largely associated Korea with images of war, orphans, and poverty. My elder brother, Korean Cultural Foundation President Pak Bo-hi, was among those who felt the weight of this perception most keenly. At the time, serving as a major in the Korean Army and stationed at the US Embassy in Seoul, he witnessed firsthand how the international community regarded our nation. True Parents, too, were deeply concerned with how Korea, our homeland entrusted with the mission of building God’s Kingdom, should be introduced to the world.

That reflection soon crystallized into a clear vision: to share Korea’s beauty and its bright future with the world through art. This conviction led directly to the founding of the Little Angels. In 1969, I was called to take charge of the training and rehearsal programs for the Little Angels, and later entrusted with leading their international tours - an invaluable opportunity to participate firsthand in bringing Korean culture to

the world with the Little Angels.

The Little Angels went on to achieve remarkable success, far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Their very first overseas performance tour included a special engagement at the invitation of [former] US President Dwight D. Eisenhower, which remains a profoundly moving memory to this day. From that beginning, the company quickly expanded its influence on the global stage, performing at the White House, before the Queen of England in a Royal Variety Performance (Royal Command Performance), and at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations.

Behind every achievement stood the unwavering encouragement and steadfast support of True Parents. Without that foundation, the Little Angels as we know them today could not have come into being. In retrospect, the Little Angels staff and dancers clearly understood the cultural mission that was so crucially needed at that time. In today’s terms, it is fair to say that the seeds of the Korean Wave were already being planted then. As I watch Korean culture continue to expand its influence around the world, I am once again struck by how far ahead of their time True Parents’ vision truly was. Tracing that vision back to its roots, one finds the Little Angels, and within them, the enduring purpose and heart of True Parents.

Love for God, Love for Humankind, and Love for the Nation

Because the elementary and middle school students in the Little Angels frequently traveled overseas for performances, their repeated absences began to disrupt their regular school studies. Confronted with this reality, we felt - perhaps more keenly than anyone - the urgent need for a stable educational environment where these young artists could find a good balance in their pursuit of both artistic training and academic education.

Looking to models such as the Vienna Boys’ Choir, which operates its own school, we became convinced that a similar educational foundation was essential for us as well. With that conviction, plans for establishing a school took shape, and when True Parents learned of this vision, they offered their full and unwavering support. As a result, the Little Angels Arts School (now the Sunhwa Arts Middle and High Schools) was established and officially opened in 1974. I still remember vividly the moment back then when True Parents personally visited the school and inscribed a motto in Chinese calligraphy. At the opening ceremony, they clearly articulated the educational vision they hoped to impart. The founding spirit they bestowed upon the Little Angels Arts School was expressed in three guiding principles: Aechon (Love for Heaven), Ae-in (Love for Humankind), and Aeguk (Love for the Nation).

I believe these founding principles embody the very essence that permeates the thought of True Parents. The educational vision they championed throughout their lives was rooted in this spirit of “Love for Heaven, Love for Humankind, and Love for the Nation.” To revere Heaven, to love one’s neighbors, and to serve the nation - this teaching of true love became the cornerstone of our educational philosophy. The founding spirit of the Little Angels Arts School was later carried forward to Sun Moon University, providing the foundation for a coherent and enduring educational system. It is profoundly moving to reflect on how the Little Angels, an artistic company that began from nothing, has blossomed into a radiant institution of learning recognized on the global stage. I hold the vision of True Parents in the highest esteem and feel deep gratitude for the privilege of having walked alongside them on this remarkable journey.

The Way of God’s Will Passed Down Through the Generations

As the years have passed, I now find myself standing in the position of an elder. Yet the inspiration and passion I felt while working on the front lines in my youth remain vivid within my mind and heart even today. Simply having lived in the same era as True Parents has been a great blessing in my life. Looking back, I find myself filled with gratitude for so many moments and experiences.

These days, I often see the Pure Water members nurtured by True Mother offering praise and devoting themselves to church missions in various regions. Each time I witness their bright spirit and the vitality of the younger generation, hope rises anew in my heart. I am also deeply moved by the leadership of Missionaries Moon Shin-chul and Moon Shin-heung, the Inheritors of Heaven’s Love and Blessing, as they step forward to encourage and guide the community. I firmly believe that as long as we move forward with them, we will not lose hope, no matter the challenges we face. This sentiment is not mine alone, but a shared feeling among many elder members.

Even amid trials and adversity, I earnestly pray that the path we have walked while attending True Parents will be faithfully passed down through the generations. May the faith and traditions we have upheld take root naturally in the lives of the younger generation, and through their hands be carried forward with even greater beauty and fulfillment. As I quietly cheer them on, I wish to convey my unwavering encouragement and heartfelt support to the generations to come.