The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) invites music lovers, cultural enthusiasts, and fans of Korean traditional arts to experience Korean Sound, a special musical performance by young artists of the National Orchestra of Korea’s Youth Educational Group.
On Aug. 15, 2026 at BGC Arts Center, with two shows at 2 pm and 6 pm, this show blends the enduring beauty of Korean traditional music and its exciting evolution through contemporary artistry. Korean Sound has already been staged in Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, with the Philippines and Thailand next on the tour route.
The event is presented by KCC in collaboration with the National Theater of Korea, with the support of Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE). Korean Sound is open to the public, with limited slots available through sign-up at bit.ly/KoreanSoundRegistration .
The National Orchestra of Korea (Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea)
Established in 1995 under the National Theater of Korea, the National Orchestra of Korea is dedicated to preserving the essence of Korean traditional music while exploring new artistic possibilities. By blending centuries-old traditions with contemporary creativity, the orchestra has earned recognition for bringing Korea’s rich musical heritage to audiences around the world.
In Manila, the spotlight belongs to the orchestra’s Youth Educational Group. Formed under the MCST’s Young Artist Training Program, the initiative gives young artists the chance to train and perform alongside Korea’s leading national arts companies.
Of the 30 trainees selected for the program in 2026, 11 were chosen through internal auditions to perform in Korean Sound. The group plays a range of traditional Korean instruments — strings like the gayageum (가야금) and geomungo (거문고), winds like the piri (피리) and daegeum (대금), and many more.
They’ll be joined onstage by a young trainee vocalist from the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, bringing the total number of young performers to 12.
The National Orchestra of Korea in one of their performances (Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea)
Audiences can look forward to a program that spans traditional Korean court music, and pansori (판소리), Korea’s centuries-old tradition of narrative singing. Highlights include The Scene of Catching the Rabbit, a dramatic scene from the pansori Sugungga (수궁가), and Together Arirang, a newly commissioned finale that weaves Filipino folk tunes with the sound of traditional Korean instruments, bringing Korean and Filipino musical traditions together on one stage.
The program also features other works that showcase the ensemble’s range from classical repertoire to contemporary composition.
“More than a concert, the program is designed as an introduction to the depth and emotion of Korean traditional artistry as it continues to evolve for new generations and new audiences,” said Myeongjin Kim, director of the KCC.
Korean Sound continues KCC’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the friendship between Korea and the Philippines through the universal language of music.
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness Korea’s next generation of traditional musicians live on stage. Sign up today at bit.ly/KoreanSoundRegistration.
