Seoul: An expo dedicated to "gugak," Korean traditional music, is set to open next month, spotlighting the roots of Korean music that have paved the way for the global phenomenon of K-pop. The 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music and Arts Expo, the first of its kind, is scheduled to run from Sept. 12 to Oct. 11 in Yeongdong County, North Chungcheong Province.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the event is designed to broaden the audience base for traditional music, foster exchange among industry experts and musicians, and boost the regional economy through cultural tourism. During the expo period, a range of gugak will be performed, from the royal ritual music "Jongmyo Jereak" to the expressive folk storytelling art of "pansori."
To engage audiences who may be unfamiliar with the genre, traditional pieces will also be reinterpreted with modern musical elements and contemporary trends, organizers said. In addition, the event will have global participation with 30 troupes from member nations of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals, showcasing their own traditional arts. They will also participate in a street parade to celebrate cultural exchange.
Yeongdong County is the hometown of Park Yeon, a scholar, official, and musician from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Revered as one of the country's musical masters, Park is credited with establishing the foundation and standards of gugak. To celebrate his legacy, Yeongdong is home to a gugak museum, a traditional music instrument production village, as well as a gugak experience village.
Since 1991, the county has also hosted the annual Nangye Gugak Festival in his honor, using his pen name. According to the organizers, advance ticket sales have surpassed 100,000 since they began in April. The county expected the expo to serve as a "stepping stone" to elevate the profile of gugak on the global stage by showcasing its history and its potential to blend with contemporary music.