Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation holds Traditional Performance and Traditional Dance season of 'Human-Scale Onggi Concert' for foreigners

The Korea Traditional Performing Arts Foundation will hold the Traditional Performance and Traditional Dance season of the salon-style performance 'Human-Scale Onggi Concert' for foreigners at the Gwangmudae Traditional Performing Arts Creation Center every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 4 PM, from Wednesday, October 7, to Wednesday, December 9. This performance is designed in a small-scale format that narrows the distance between the audience and the artists, allowing them to experience traditional arts in a closer setting.

The Foundation stated that to reduce the sense of distance easily created on large stages, they applied the 'human-scale' concept—designing space based on the human body and senses—by removing stage equipment such as microphones and lighting. The 'Onggi System' placed throughout the stage serves to naturally refine the sound and is utilized as a device to increase the density of the performance. Notably, the performance format itself has been simplified so that the movements and sounds of the artists are delivered more directly. For audiences encountering traditional arts for the first time, this is seen as a way to lower the threshold of the genre.

During the October–December season, traditional performance and traditional dance will take the stage every other week. For traditional performance, Kim Hyang-su-ri and Jeong Yeon-sil, trainees of the National Intangible Heritage Baltal, Kim Yeong-eun, an inheritor of Jinju Samcheonpo Nongak and Donghaean Byeolsingut, and Seong Yu-gyeong of Yeonhui Company Yuhui, will appear. For traditional dance, Kim Dan-u, a former trainee of the National Dance Company of Korea, and Baek Seung-min, a graduate of the Sejong University Department of Dance, will perform Fan Dance, Small Drum Dance, and more. Accompaniment will be provided by Nam Seong-hun, Bae Ho-young, Yuna Kim, Shin Byeol-ha, Lee Min-hyeong, and Jo Bong-guk.

Visitors will receive prior guidance about the performance and the artists in the White Room before moving to the Black Room to watch the main performance. English docent commentary will be provided at every session, and a conversation time with the artists will be arranged after the performance. This will be followed by experiences such as touching traditional instruments and dance props like Salpuri silk and sword dance swords, as well as Hanbok experiences. Although Gwangmudae opened in 1907 and was destroyed by fire in 1930, it has reopened after about 90 years on the 9th floor of the new building of Dongdaemun General Market, its former site.