Traditional performances selected by UNESCO to be staged in Oct

Samulnori performers and street dancers showcase their collaborative work for the upcoming performance “All for One, One for All” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. / Courtesy of KOTPA

By Park Jin-hai

Starting with Samulnori, Korea's intangible cultural properties selected by UNESCO will be performed in Seoul.

Marking the 40th anniversary of Samulnori, a Korean traditional percussion music genre, Korean traditional musicians will hold a large scale collaborative performance with street dancers.

In the performance titled “All for One, One for All,” under the direction of master drummer Kim Duk-soo, who created the genre in 1978, originating from Korean folk music pungmul, samulnori performers will join hiphop musicians and street dancers in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Sept. 30.

“Samulnori, born 40 years ago, has evolved over the years and now it has become one of the most popular traditional music genres. Global music fans give fervent reaction to the BTS song that has a hypnotic refrain that came from samulnori,” said Kim Duk-soo in a recent press conference. “With some variation in rhythm and beat, basically the core of pop culture is provoking mirth.”

Park Sung-jin, director and choreographer, says samulnori and street dances have a common ground. “They both come from street culture,” he said.

“Previously, I thought the rhythm and dance moves of the two were very different. But while I was on this project, I came to realize the two genres are closer than I thought. The process of finding common ground and showing it on stage will carry significant meaning.”

For the grand outdoor performance 300 musicians including pansori superstar Ahn Sook-sun, one of the country's “national living treasures,” and 500 dancers will participate.

In October, various traditional performances will be staged. A total of 12 traditional performances that were chosen as UNESCO intangible cultural properties such as Arirang, Korean folk music, Namsadang, Korean itinerant troupes, pungmul, traditional folk music, traditional ways used for inspiring farmers, jultagi, tightrope walking, and other performances will be staged from Oct.6 to 28 in front of the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

All performances are free but reservations are required. For more information visit website at https://kotpa.org:5014/newhome/concert/concert_16.asp