K-Content News

 

An annual fiesta featuring traditional Korean music is back on schedule GIVEN the ease in COVID-19 restrictions.
My colleague KIM YEON-SEUNG has the sights and sounds from the YEO-U-RAK festival. Do take a listen.

"Now that most COVID-19 curbs have been lifted, Yeourak festival has finally come back in its full form, presenting Korean traditional music in the most exciting and creative way."

This year's Yeourak festival defines itself by three key words: extend, explode, and expand.

"I wanted to create a stage where artists can spread their pent up artistic energy. These energies could extend, explode, and expand. Yeourak is where it's all going to happen."

Wednesday's performance was called "Four Dots," performed by team ReMidas and Dal:um. Four dots represent the four string musicians who harmoniously come together to play their original music.

"Geomungo is called the top of all instruments. It really is, because it's grand, masculine, but also gender-neutral, and fitting to this era's female figure. I'm looking forward to all the wonderful colors that will be expressed through this instrument."

"If the ReMidas team who play Geomungo are 'yang,' us in the Dal:um team who play Gayageum are 'yin'. Those who watch this performance will be able to feel the harmonious balance of yin and yang."

Those who missed Wednesday's performance need not worry.

Other shows are scheduled until the 23rd of July. And no two performances are the same. For example, on July 20th and 21st, an orchestra will play traditional tunes in jazz form.

And for overseas music fans, the festival is coming to the UK this October. The festival is going to be extending its music to foreign fans, exploding in excitement, and expanding its musical influence to the world. Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News