Master Kim Young-jae, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 16 for Geomungo Sanjo, will present a public performance on June 26 at Pungnyu Folk Theater, showcasing the artistic legacy he has built over 65 years while highlighting the continued transmission of Shin Kwae-dong-style geomungo sanjo.
The event brings together traditional geomungo repertoire, iron gayageum works and collaborative dance performances, offering audiences a broad look at how one of Korea's most respected sanjo traditions continues to evolve across generations.
Kim is regarded as one of the leading inheritors of the Shin Kwae-dong lineage, a school known for its deep tonal resonance and sophisticated rhythmic structure. Throughout his career, he has combined performance and education to help preserve and expand appreciation for Korea's traditional music heritage.
A centerpiece of the program will be performances of Jinyangjo and Jungmori from the Shin Kwae-dong repertoire. The works demonstrate the lineage's distinctive musical character through gradual rhythmic development and expressive melodic interpretation.
The evening will open with the geomungo hyangje pungnyu piece Jandodeuri, performed by Kim's disciples and fellow practitioners. The ensemble performance reflects the role of collective transmission in sustaining traditional music practices.
The progression from slower passages to faster rhythmic cycles remains one of sanjo's defining characteristics. Through this structure, performers build musical tension and release while revealing the emotional range embedded within the tradition.
The program will also feature a collaborative work combining iron gayageum and dance. Based on Kim's commemorative recording project 2025 Iron Gayageum Solo Works, the performance incorporates choreography by Yang Seung-mi, creating a dialogue between music and movement.
By bringing together traditional and contemporary artistic elements, the production highlights the adaptability of Korean traditional music while maintaining its core aesthetic identity.
Additional highlights include a geomungo improvisation and a performance of Paldo Yuramga, both of which emphasize the spontaneity and versatility found within traditional Korean performance practice.
The event will conclude with a large-scale geomungo sanjo ensemble featuring practitioners, disciples and trainees. The finale underscores the ongoing transmission of the tradition and the shared responsibility of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
Organizers say the performance is intended not only to celebrate Kim's long artistic career but also to broaden public engagement with geomungo music and the Shin Kwae-dong tradition.
As traditional arts continue to find new audiences, the event offers an opportunity to experience a musical lineage that has been sustained through decades of performance, teaching and artistic dedication.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
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