Korean Cultural Center LA launches three-part Gugak series

By AI, Created 10:45 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles and the Korean Music Institute of America will stage a three-event “Discovering Gugak” series at Ari Hall beginning April 29. The free public program brings court music, folk music and contemporary Korean music to Los Angeles through performances, dance and commentary.

Why it matters: - The series gives Los Angeles audiences a rare chance to see three major strands of Korean traditional performing arts in one program. - The lineup combines music, dance and live commentary, which can make gugak more accessible to first-time audiences. - The events are free and open to the public, with advance RSVP required, lowering the barrier to entry for cultural programming.

What happened: - Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, in collaboration with the Korean Music Institute of America, will present the “Discovering Gugak” series at Ari Hall on the 3rd floor of the Center. - The series includes three performances on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 pm; Wednesday, July 29 at 7:00 pm; and Friday, October 30 at 7:00 pm. - The program centers on Korean traditional music and dance, with each event built around a different theme: Royal Court Music of Korea, Korean Folk Music and Contemporary Gugak. - Advance RSVP is available at la.korean-culture.org.

The details: - The first program, “Royal Court Music of Korea – The Elegance and Resonance of Tradition,” highlights Jeongak, the court music prominent during the Joseon Dynasty from the 14th to the 19th century. - The royal court program includes Chunaengjeon, Cheonnyeonmanse, Saengsobyeongju, Sangryeongsan, Gagok Taepyeongga, Doduri and Taryeong Gunak. - The April performance features performers who graduated from the Korean Traditional Music Department at Seoul National University. - Professor Jeong-hyun Jung from Seoul Institute of the Arts will provide commentary for the April performance. - The second program, “Korean Folk Music – A Festival of Spirit and Elegance,” features sanjo, pansori, folk songs and traditional dances. - The folk-music lineup includes Sinawi Ensemble, Salpuri, Gayageum Performance, Pansori, Sanjo Dance with Geomungo, Minyo, Taepyeongso Solo and dances including Fan Dance, Jindo Drum Dance, Hwagwanmu, Janggu Dance, Sword Dance and Sogo Dance. - Dr. Donald Kim will provide commentary for the July performance. - The July program will feature a diverse group of Korean traditional performers active in Southern California. - The third program, “Contemporary Korean Music – A Meeting of Tradition and Modernity,” pairs traditional Korean instruments with contemporary creative dance. - The October performance includes compositions by Yang Bang-ean, including Frontier, Prince of Jeju and Flower of K. - The contemporary program also includes haegeum performance with modern choreography, vocal pieces Areumdaun Nara and Sarangga, “In a Dream” for geomungo, gayageum and creative dance, and newly interpreted film, drama and musical OSTs. - Commentary and performances for the October event will be presented with music and dance professors from universities in Southern California, with the ensemble still under discussion.

Between the lines: - The series is framed as a lecture-performance format, which suggests an effort to mix education with entertainment. - The programming spans court, folk and contemporary forms, signaling a broader push to show gugak as both heritage art and living, adaptable practice. - The inclusion of Southern California-based performers and professors points to an attempt to build local cultural infrastructure around Korean traditional arts.

What’s next: - The April 29 royal court music event opens the series, followed by the July folk music performance and the October contemporary program. - The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles is directing audiences to RSVP in advance before attending. - Additional details on the October ensemble are still being finalized.

The bottom line: - Los Angeles will get three chances this year to experience Korean traditional music and dance in a single, free public series that blends performance, context and cultural education.