South Korea is preparing to launch its inaugural exposition dedicated to gugak, the nation's traditional music, highlighting the cultural roots that have influenced the global success of K-pop. The groundbreaking 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music & Arts Expo will take place from September 12 to October 11 in Yeongdong County, located in North Chungcheong Province.
The month-long cultural event aims to expand the audience for traditional Korean music while fostering professional exchanges among industry experts and musicians. Organizers also expect the expo to stimulate the local economy through increased cultural tourism. This represents the first exhibition of its kind specifically focused on celebrating and promoting gugak on an international scale.
During the exposition, visitors will experience a comprehensive showcase of gugak performances, ranging from the sacred royal court music known as "Jongmyo Jereak" to the dramatic folk storytelling tradition of "pansori." To make traditional music more accessible to newcomers, organizers plan to present classical pieces reimagined with contemporary musical elements and modern trends, creating a bridge between ancient and current musical styles.
The event will feature significant international participation, with 30 performing groups from member nations of the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals contributing their own distinctive traditional arts. These international troupes will also participate in a vibrant street parade designed to celebrate cultural exchange and showcase the diversity of world music traditions.
Yeongdong County holds special significance as the birthplace of Park Yeon, a renowned scholar, government official, and musician from the Joseon Dynasty period (1392-1910). Recognized as one of Korea's greatest musical masters, Park Yeon is credited with establishing the fundamental principles and standards of gugak that continue to influence Korean traditional music today.
In honor of Park Yeon's lasting legacy, Yeongdong County has developed into a center for traditional Korean music culture. The area houses a dedicated gugak museum, a traditional musical instrument production village, and an interactive gugak experience village where visitors can learn about and participate in traditional music activities. Since 1991, the county has also organized the annual Nangye Gugak Festival, named after Park Yeon's pen name, further cementing its reputation as a hub for traditional Korean music.
The upcoming expo has already generated significant public interest, with advance ticket sales surpassing 100,000 since they began in April. County officials view the exposition as a crucial "stepping stone" that will elevate gugak's profile on the global stage by demonstrating both its rich historical heritage and its potential for integration with contemporary musical forms. The event represents an ambitious effort to introduce international audiences to the sophisticated traditions that form the foundation of Korea's modern musical achievements.
