Play Your Favorite Tunes on the Viva DJ Show!

In continuing its collaboration with the Gwangju Foreign Language Network (GFN), in this issue of the Gwangju News we present the Viva DJ Show, a program that allows listeners the opportunity to dive into the studio and host a show with Monique Dean, playing hits from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a DJ on the radio without any previous experience? I bet you haven’t, and neither had I until I found an advertisement for the Viva DJ Show at GFN.

The Viva DJ Show airs in the mornings from Monday through Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. in both Gwangju and Yeosu. Having a fresh concept, this new show offers GFN listeners the chance to step into the studio and host their own radio show together with the Viva DJ Show’s permanent host, Monique. Every month, a new co-host from our community graces the airwaves by delivering some of their favorite pop hits.

I signed up and did the show throughout the month of September 2021. Being part of the ’90s generation, the topics and music I picked brought back beautiful memories from my youth. I found Monique to be an excellent music connoisseur, and we had interesting conversations related to the songs we played. She told me she had been the host of the Viva DJ Show for almost three years and for her, the show was pure nostalgia with a memory attached to every song. We both agreed that it was a great opportunity to learn the history, background, and meaning behind some of our favorite songs.

My main duties were picking out a subject, making the script for it, and choosing some of the songs in relation to the topic I had chosen for the day. I picked diverse subjects from books, Dracula, colors, love, and favorite bands to music genres like new wave, rock, punk, and disco from the 1970s to the 1990s, with each show making the adventure memorable. I did not even realize when the month was up, as it had gone by just like a dream. Monique was very helpful and supportive throughout the journey, and I have learned a lot from her. Sharing not only a similar musical background but also common experiences – she also started her GFN experience without previous experience and, just like me, found an advertisement on social media and took the opportunity – which helped us develop a beautiful friendship. And the best part was the freedom I had in expressing myself and directing the show.

We encourage anyone to volunteer for the Viva DJ Show and try their luck at being a co-host. It is ideal for a lot of people because it is only a one-month commitment. It is also a great opportunity to get your foot in the door at GFN. Monique told me that many of the co-hosts for the Viva DJ Show have gone on to work on other shows at GFN. She also did This Morning Gwangju with Alex Reid as a guest host, and before that, In the Mix with Travis Wingfield where she had The People’s Choice segment, before becoming the permanent host of the Viva DJ Show. She is certain that avid listeners of the show know her by heart by now.

Those who are interested in co-hosting can go to the GFN website at gfn.or.kr and fill out an application. If you have any knowledge of or love for music from the 1960s to the 1990s, then you should definitely give it a try!

Interviewed by Melline Galani.

The Host

Monique Dean is originally from Texas in the United States and has been living in Gwangju for close to six years. She has a master’s degree in clinical social work and an interest in wellness. She enjoys the performing arts, music, and roller-skating.

The Interviewer

Melline Galani is a Romanian enthusiast, born and raised in the capital city of Bucharest, and is currently living in Gwangju. She likes new challenges and learning interesting things, and she is incurably optimistic. Melline loves living life as it is, and she had a great time doing the Viva DJ Show. Instagram: @melligalanis