Seoul Events creates spaces for cultures underrepresented in Korea

Seoul Events founder Swarnim Singh works during a Sufi Night event at Yeti Restaurant in western Seoul, April 12. Courtesy of Antonia Giordano

On a recent night in western Seoul’s popular and vibrant Hongdae district — known for its busking, K-pop scene, shopping and dance clubs that pulse until all hours — a different type of event was taking place at Yeti Restaurant: Sufi Night, hosted by Seoul Events. The event offered a gathering that emphasized connection, culture and music beyond borders.

The restaurant was filled with a lively, diverse crowd of Koreans and people from all around the world, coming together for an evening of musical performance, cultural exchange and community. Events like this aim to create a space for those living abroad to find a sense of belonging, while also offering a bridge to the local scene.

The night featured an assortment of performers. Attendees mingled, enjoyed a diverse musical program and experienced firsthand how Sufi music can transcend language and background.

Each performer contributed to an atmosphere that was both vibrant and soothing. Park Eun-seong, who regularly teaches Indian-style dance and yoga at Raas Studio in Seoul, blended contemporary and Indian dance forms. Saxophonist Choi Wan-hyuk, whose artist name is Rayanash, infused his performances of popular Sufi songs with jazz, demonstrating how artists from different cultures can embrace and reinterpret the genre respectfully. Sufi musicians, entertainers, performers and singers, like acoustic musician Amrit Singh, vocalist Anunyaa Iyer and Zahid Hussain, demonstrated that the genre, while rooted in tradition, continues to branch out in unexpected ways.

For many, including those who grew up with Sufi music and those encountering it for the first time, the night provided a sense of community and relaxation after a busy week. Throughout the evening, the audience was invited to participate, and the night concluded by everyone joining in as Hussain finished with a medley of songs. As the crowd sang along and even added rhythms on cajón drums, a shared energy warmed the room to give it one collective beat.

Traditionally, Sufi music served as a tool for spiritual practice in South Asian and Muslim cultures — a purpose it continues to fulfill, through love and inner devotion. While this is the main ethos, over time, the genre has expanded, blending with contemporary styles such as pop, rock, electronic, acoustic and even jazz. While its essence remains rooted in spirituality and connection, Sufi music today invites listeners of all backgrounds to experience its depth through more contemporary means.

Seoul Events founder Swarnim Singh, an Indian national, has spent the past five years organizing similar events. When she arrived in Korea, the lack of spaces for Indian-style and Sufi music left her disheartened. She made it her mission to make Indian music, art and culture a proud and visible part of Korea’s growing international scene.

Her work has paid off. Seoul Events has hosted Bollywood Nights, Desi K-Fest, dance classes, meetups and more. Recognizing the need for a more relaxed, soulful environment, Singh launched Sufi Night, an event where people can meet, talk and experience diverse musical traditions. The evening at Yeti Restaurant was the third such event.

By crossing cultural boundaries, it maintained the original spirit of Sufi music: fostering human connection and offering a soulful, enriching experience.

“Sufi Night represents a growing interest in cross-cultural appreciation and dialogue," Singh said. "As Seoul continues to evolve as a multicultural hub, platforms like Seoul Events are playing an instrumental role in fostering inclusivity and global connection through the power of soft culture. It’s not just about showcasing Indian culture to Korea, but about creating a space where both cultures meet, interact and celebrate each other."

If Sufi Night is about reflection and connection, then Seoul Events’ Bollywood Night is its energetic, celebratory counterpart. These events offer an immersion into the music, dance and visual glamour of India’s film culture. Seoul Events fuses cultures and themes together, and this month's Bollywood Night includes a mysterious, elegant twist as a Masquerade-themed night. Guests are invited to dress to impress — think elegant gowns, tuxedos and, of course, masks. The event promises a night of lively dance, colorful outfits, DJs spinning Bollywood and fusion hits and performances that invite everyone to participate.

Whether you know the moves or are stepping in for the first time, Bollywood Night promises an inclusive, high-energy space to let go, connect, and celebrate. Like Sufi Night, it brings people from different backgrounds together — bridging cultures through joy, expression and celebration. You can dance the night away at Mike's Cabin from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The event was originally scheduled for May 24 but has been postponed.

Visit @eventsseoul on Instagram for more information. The last day to sign up is May 20.

Antonia Giordano is a freelance photographer and writer based in Seoul. An adoptee, Antonia deeply understands and connects with the issues surrounding adoption and post-adoption. Visit giordanoantonia.myportfolio.com and follow @antonia_creative_services on Instagram.