Experience the Evolution of Korean Music in ‘Korean Sound’ this August 15, 2026!
This August 15, 2026, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) invites music lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and fans of Korean traditional arts to Korean Sound. Performers of this special event are young artists of the National Orchestra of Korea’s Youth Educational Group.
Who are the National Orchestra of Korea?
The National Orchestra of Korea was established in 1995, under the National Theater of Korea. They have dedicated themselves to preserving the essence of traditional Korean music while exploring new artistic possibilities. The orchestra has received recognition for blending traditional music with contemporary creativity, bringing rich musical heritage to global audiences.
What can we look forward to in Korean Sound?
Following shows in Turkey and the UAE [with the Philippines and Thailand being their next stops], the program highlights traditional Korean court music, pansori (Korea’s centuries-old narrative singing), and a unique Korean-Filipino fusion finale blending traditional instruments with local folk tunes.
Highlights from the show include ‘The Scene of Catching the Rabbit’, a dramatic scene from the pansori Sugungga (수궁가); and Together Arirang, a newly commissioned finale that weaves Filipino folk tunes with the sound of traditional Korean instruments, bringing Korean and Filipino musical traditions together on one stage. The program also features other works that showcase the ensemble’s range from classical repertoire to contemporary composition.
Key performances include a dramatic scene from the pansori masterpiece Sugungga (‘The Scene of Catching the Rabbit’) and Together Arirang, a newly commissioned finale that seamlessly blends Filipino folk melodies with traditional Korean instruments. Beyond these highlights, the program demonstrates the ensemble’s versatility with a blend of classic and modern compositions.
In their performance in Manila, the orchestra’s Youth Educational Group was formed under MCST’s (Ministry of Culture Sports and Tourism) Young Artist Training Program. The spotlight on these artists will give them the chance to train and perform with Korea’s leading national artists companies. Eleven out of 30 trainees were chosen to perform in Korean Sound. The group plays a variety of traditional Korean instruments such as gayageum (가야금) and geomungo (거문고), winds like the piri (피리) and daegeum (대금), and many more. They will also be joined onstage by a young trainee vocalist from the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, bringing the total to 12 young performers.
This performance also continues KCC’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the friendship between Korea and the Philippines through the universal language of music.
“More than a concert, the program is designed as an introduction to the depth and emotion of Korean traditional artistry as it continues to evolve for new generations and new audiences,”
Myeongjin Kim, Director of the KCC.
Watch the cultural evolution of Korean traditional music to contemporary artistry at the BGC Arts Center from 2 PM to 6 PM.
If you are interested in watching a diverse cultural performance of traditional music and contemporary music, sign up today at bit.ly/KoreanSoundRegistration .
This event is presented by KCC in collaboration with the National Theater of Korea, with the support of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
Press release from KCC Philippines
