The Korean performing arts will come to Budapest on November 4 with the production “Pung Jang – Towards New Paths.” The multidisciplinary performance, which will be staged at the Eiffel Art Studios, combines centuries-old traditions with contemporary musical and theatrical forms. Six artistic groups and performers will take the stage in this free event.
The performance features a world music ensemble, a singer-songwriter, a traditional vocal storyteller, folk theater troupes, and contemporary dancers.
The production traces its roots to nongak, a form of Korean community performing art that was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014.
Pung Jang promises a multidisciplinary artistic experience in which driving rhythms, distinctive musical worlds, spectacular dances, and theatrical elements intertwine in a single production,
the organizers noted in a statement.
One of the key performers is ADG7 (Ak Dan Gwang Chil), which reinterprets the traditional music of the former Hwanghae Province, located in what is now North Korea. Founded in 2015, the ensemble combines traditional Korean instruments, powerful rhythms, and contemporary musical techniques in its distinctive sound.
Also performing will be Yun Jinchul, a master of the Korean pansori tradition. As a representative of the Boseong vocal tradition, he preserves the performance heritage of Jeokbyeokga. In the pansori genre, performers use singing, speech, and gestures to tell long, dramatic stories, the organizers explained.
The production also features The Gwangdae, a troupe that showcases spectacular forms of Korean folk performance, including drumming, masked dance, and the theatrical traditions of itinerant performers.
The artists of Art & Play Store Choori use humor and traditional theatrical techniques to tell contemporary stories. Contemporary dance will be represented by Company Siga, while singer-songwriter Bang Chorong rounds out the lineup.
Drawing inspiration from ancient Korean rituals, Chun Jaehyun has directed a performance that places the shared community experience and audience participation at its heart.
The Budapest event will offer audiences an opportunity to discover lesser-known aspects of Korean culture beyond K-pop and Korean cinema, the organizers emphasized.
The production will be presented in Budapest as part of the international Touring K-Arts program, in cooperation with the Korean Cultural Center and the National Intangible Heritage Center of Korea. Its realization is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE).
Admission is free, but advance registration is required. Further information about the production is available on the Korean Cultural Center’s website and on the event’s Facebook page.
Chin Sooyoung will be a resident artist in Hungary for two years.Continue reading
Via MTI, Featured image: Pexels (illustration)
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