Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center to Present 29 Productions Across Five Series This Year

Establishing a Distinctive Status as a Multi-Art Center

Photo by Daejeon City

Daejeon Yeonjeong Korean Traditional Music Center (Director: Oh Byungjun) will present five series, 29 productions, and 35 performances for its 2026 season.

This year, the center aims to establish itself as a specialized traditional music performance venue leading a new wave in Korean traditional music, as well as a differentiated multi-art center that brings special happiness to citizens, under the slogan "A New Wave of Korean Traditional Music."

◆ Five Series Tailored to Direction and Audience Preferences

The center has divided its 2026 season performances into five series, clarifying its direction while making it easier for audiences to understand and choose performances.

The five series are: "Breath of Tradition," which preserves the essence of authentic Korean traditional music and showcases its elegance; "Wave X," which proposes new paths for Korean traditional music through unique experimentation; "Pleasure of the Senses," which delivers joy and inspiration through diverse arts; "Children’s Series," offering fun and empathy for children and families; and "Signature Special," featuring experiences exclusive to the center.

◆ "Breath of Tradition": Masterpiece Series Preserving the Essence of Authentic Korean Traditional Music

Top Korean traditional musicians such as world musician and percussionist Kim Sora and Hyun Seunghoon, master of Namdo music Lee Taebaek and master drummer Kim Cheongman, versatile young vocalist Jang Seoyoon, the captivating Seodo singer Kim Moobin, and ajaeng player Jo Sungjae, known as the elder brother of Song Gain, will present a carefully curated collection of masterpieces in both instrumental and vocal genres, including jangdan, sanjo, pansori, and folk songs, introducing the elegance of premium Korean traditional music (Korean Traditional Music Collection).

In addition, young Korean traditional musicians actively performing in Daejeon, such as Heungsinso and Daejeon Soria, will stage energetic youth performances (Korean Traditional Music Competition, Youth Stage).

◆ "Wave X": Future Series Presenting New Paths for Korean Traditional Music through Unique Experimentation

Vocalists who will shape the future of Korean traditional music, such as Kim Suin, Yoo Taepyungyang, Park Chaneum, and Lim Jaehyun, will participate in a concert (Jangggi Jarang). There will also be a collaboration between the unique pianist Yang Bang-ean and world-renowned classical guitarist Park Kyuhui (Resonance), as well as a fusion event with the super hero phenomenon of Phantom Singer and the fusion Korean traditional music band Granadang (Spring Rock Festival).

Additionally, Song Hyunmin, host of Korean Traditional Music Broadcasting and editor-in-chief of Monthly Audience, will present "New World of Korean Traditional Music" (Korean Traditional Music Navigation). There will also be a classical orchestra led by Park Sanghoo, conductor of KBS Korean Traditional Music Orchestra (Tomorrow), and a unique concert by fusion Korean traditional music band Reverse Project and comedian Park Seongho (Opening Concert), breaking genre and format boundaries to envision the future of Korean traditional music.

◆ "Pleasure of the Senses": Happiness Series Delivering Joy and Inspiration through Diverse Arts

There will be a new creative ballet "Gat GAT," a milestone in Korean ballet that sold out all seats as a planned performance last year, the highly acclaimed creative musical "That’s How We Are," and the play "An Old Man’s Dream," which explores the beauty of life and features top actors Kim Yonglim and Ha Heera.

Additionally, the play "Chunseomi’s Lie," which reinterprets the first Korean novel "Hong Gildongjeon" to depict the lives of women in the Joseon Dynasty in depth and received high praise from critics and audiences, and the non-verbal art performance "The Painters," which has captivated over 6 million people in 130 cities across 19 countries with its spectacular dance, live drawing, and media art, will deliver overwhelming happiness to citizens.

◆ "Children’s Series": Imagination Series Offering Fun and Empathy for Children and Families

Storyteller Jeong Gisoo, who entertains audiences by reciting contemporary novels from the Joseon Dynasty, will reconstruct "Hong Gildongjeon" and "Chunhyangjeon" with traditional dance, pansori, folk songs, b-boying, and taekwondo shows in the representative K-culture family musical "Joseon Storyteller Jeong Gisoo." There will also be a newly created children’s play based on traditional arts, produced in collaboration with Daejeon Korean Traditional Music Broadcasting.

◆ "Signature Special": Exclusive Series Only at the Korean Traditional Music Center

Talented Korean traditional musicians who will lead the future of the genre, such as Hwang Hyunseon, Haba Hae, Tte Baram Sori, Simsan, Kwon Songhee, and Trigger, will present the only Korean traditional music brunch concert in the Chungcheong region, "Elegant," promising a pleasant morning. The creative Korean traditional music group Korean Traditional Music Ensemble "Bulsaechul" will present experimental performances that reinterpret traditional rituals in a contemporary way, offering experiences that can only be found at the center.

Director Oh Byungjun stated, "The 2026 season performances at the center are both a compass showing the direction for the center and a reflection of our passionate desire to reach citizens. We have carefully selected and prepared each performance, from authentic Korean traditional music to modern Korean traditional music, musicals, plays, and ballet. I hope citizens will experience new Korean traditional music at the center and recharge with special happiness."