The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents innovative Korean “newtro” (new-retro) group bob as they redefine traditional folk music with contemporary style in a free ticketed concert at Capital One Hall in Tyson Corner, Va. on Sunday May 5 at 6:00 p.m., plus outdoor public performances in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 4 at the KCCDC during cultural festivities for Passport DC.     This first showcase of the KCCDC’s performing arts series OnStage Korea kicks off the 2024 Season with an eye-opening look at recent trends in Korean creative music—often inspired by but not bound by tradition—including new takes on K-Pop and Korea’s most beloved classic folk song, Arirang.     In addition to the public performances, bob members will make special visits to two DC Public Schools, King Elementary School and Houston Elementary School, on May 3 to introduce their music to American students participating in the Embassy Adoption Program with the KCCDC.     Tickets to the May 5 concert are available free with online registration. The annual Around the World Embassy Tour open-house event on May 4, part of city-wide Passport DC festivities presented by Events DC, will include free casual performances by bob on the KCCDC outdoor stage at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., among other cultural activities throughout the day. Information about Embassy Adoption Program visits can be found on the KCCDC website, or by contacting KCCDC staff.   RSVP UPDATE Due to a strong response, this event has reached full capacity and we're unable to accept additional RSVPs at this time. We appreciate your understanding. While we will do our best to accommodate walk-in guests, please note that admission and seating cannot be guaranteed. We look forward to welcoming you to our future events. Thank you for your support. About the Performers Known for their cross-generational appeal and original compositions that fuse traditional melodies with contemporary style, bob has become one of Korea’s beloved folk ensembles, appearing on national Korean broadcasts. The group’s clever moniker is derived from a playful and literal twist on the word “pop” that reflects their vibrant and infectious sound. With a skillful blend of intricate instrumentation and authentic folk elements, bob creates a dynamic musical experience steeped in Korea’s rich history of retro pop genres. Their repertoire includes lively adaptations of the iconic Arirang and other folk songs (known in Korean as minyo) transformed into upbeat, modern arrangements. Founded in 2016, bob earned the silver prize in the Gugak Broadcasting Company’s 21C Korean Music Project in 2020.   Suwan Lee | Vocals   Suwan Lee is a graduate of the National High School of Traditional Korean Arts, Chugye University for the Arts, and the Graduate School of Chugye University for the Arts. She won the Overall Grand Prize in the Master Singer category at the National Folk Song and Gyeongchang Contest in Guri-si (Minister of Culture Award), the Gold Prize in the Master Singer category at the Gisan National Gugak Contest, Second Prize in the Master Singer category at the Grand Reading Sound Contest, First Prize in the Korea Hanbok Model Contest 2019, and the Participation Prize at the 21st Century Korean Music Project for "Swan."    Yesul Kim | Keyboard  Yesul Kim is a graduate of Seoul Institute of the Arts with a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Music and the Graduate School of Performing Arts at Ewha Womans University with a Master's Degree in Film Music. She won the Grand Prize at the 29th Baekma Singing Contest, Gold Prize at the 29th SWBS University Singing Contest, and First Prize at the 5th National Applied Music Contest of Dong-eui University. She joined the Im Chang-jeong Concert and the national tour of the SHOW­Comedian Concert, and played for the Kim Bo-kyeong (NEON) Concert.     Seoyon Hong | Haegeum  Seyon Hong is a graduate of the Gugak National High School and the Postmodern Music Department of Kyung Hee University. She won the Silver Award at the Sixth Gugak Chamber Music Festival and the "K-bridge" Participation Award at the 21st Century Korean Music Project in 2014 and 2015. She appeared in Gugak Scandal: Kkun for TVN, served as the chief Haegeum player for the Seoul Youth Gugak Group at Sejong Center, and completed major training at Thailand Superstar College of Asia.     Minsoo Jung | Bass  Minsoo Jung, a distinguished graduate of Berklee College of Music with a scholarship, has cultivated a rich career collaborating with a diverse array of local musicians. Despite initially lacking a musical background, his dedication and passion have propelled him to excel across various genres, including gospel, funk, CCM, pop, and jazz. Noteworthy collaborations include his work alongside esteemed Christian artists, such as YWAM Worship, Anointing, MyungSik Kang, and more.    Boreum Kim | Drums  Boreum Kim is a graduate of Seoul Institute of the Arts’ Department of Applied Music. He was invited to perform by the Korean national team in Kanazawa, Japan, played and has played drums in the orchestra for the musical Hamlet, for Yoo Jae-hwan, on the JTBC program Maknaga Show (Gyurangdan), and for singer CHEETAH on SBS's Midnight Entertainment Show. About the Performance   Program    Kkaekkijeogori (깨끼저고리)  Arirang, Your Song (아리랑 너의노래)  Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁타령)  Summer Time (섬머타임)  “Today’s youth” Nilniliya (“오늘, 청춘” 늴리리야)  Drink Magic (주술)  Dreaming with a Love Song (몽련가)  Real to Reel  Twinkle (트윙클)  Kwaejina Ching Ching Nane (쾌지나 칭칭나네)  Pyeongchang Arirang (평창아리랑)    Performers    Suwan Lee | Vocals  Yesul Kim | Keyboard  Seoyon Hong | Haegeum  Minsoo Jung | Bass  Boreum Kim | Drums         About OnStage Korea  OnStage Korea presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. seeks to discover brilliant Korean and Korean-inspired artists and groups performing around the world, giving them an opportunity to showcase their creativity on stage for the American public in the Capital region. The program also fosters international cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of Korean performing arts and artists in mainstream America. Featuring a diverse range of new artists each year, OnStage Korea presents unique, exceptional performances free to the public in and around Washington, D.C. 

A Special Performance for the Korean National Day and a Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the ROK-US Alliance  Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.  The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Eisenhower Theater  RSVP UPDATE Thanks for your interest! Due to a strong response, this event is currently full and we are no longer accepting additional RSVPs. We appreciate your understanding. Hope to see you soon at our future events. Thank you. Experience the contemporary evolution of Korean culture with a special performance of trend-setting and innovative Korean performing arts groups in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US Alliance and Korea’s National Foundation Day, presented by the Embassy of Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C.  Inspired by the shared history and vibrant cultural ties that unite Koreans and Americans moving forward, this event explores the past, present, and future of performing arts in Korea, from an original work by the National Dance Company of Korea to a hanbok fashion show presented by The Korean Cultural Association and dynamic LED dance by Saengdonggam Crew. The National Dance Company of Korea presents Scent of Ink, an original contemporary dance infused with the lofty spirit of traditional scholars. The intellectual nobility who once aspired to be free from the taint of the world are visualized in graceful style, represented on stage by an iconic form of Korean literary painting and traditional philosophy known as the Four Gracious Plants. The work consists of a prologue, epilogue, and a scene for each of the four seasonal florae: plum blossom (spring), orchid (summer), chrysanthemum (autumn), and bamboo (winter). Lush imagery unfolds on the stage, conveying virtuous and pure sentiments while inviting viewers to meditate on the harmonies they evoke. Like ink on paper, each dancer’s movements spread out to create a human painting set to classical Korean sanjo and elegant jeongga music. Audiences will find respite from the routines of daily life while being connected to the dignified spirit of ancient scholars.   Saeng Dong Gam Crew presents two dynamic dances, Hwagwanmu and Cheongomu dances representing a rebirth of Korean beauty through a harmonious blend of splendid traditional court attire and vibrant LED technology. Each dance preserves traditional aesthetics and etiquette in a digital-age package. In a traditional Hwagwanmu, beautifully dressed dancers flick elongated hansam sleeves in the air to welcome and bless their audience, while Cheongomu uses the beating of a drum to symbolically open the gates of heaven and welcome an era of peace into our dizzying world. Traditional yonggo drums and rich costumes are integrated with LED lighting systems to create an original performance of percussion, dance, and play.   The Korean Culture Association will showcase a hanbok fashion show that inherits the spirit of tradition and innovation with the traditional and modern clothes of Hanbok, the traditional Korean clothes. For the performance commemorating the 70th anniversary of the alliance between the two countries, special Stars and Stripes and Taegeukgi hanboks will be presented. *Disclaimer: This performance is an external rental presented in coordination with the Kennedy Center Campus Rentals Office and is not produced by the Kennedy Center. About the Performing Arts Groups Since its foundation in 1962, the National Dance Company of Korea (NDCK), a resident company of the National Theater of Korea, has continued to engage in art activities under the motto of creation based on tradition. While inheriting traditional folk dances under the guidance of the greatest artists of the day, the NDCK works to create and develop modern renditions of Korean dances to attract and inspire contemporary audiences. NDCK is now at the forefront of Korean creative dance arts of different aesthetics based on tradition, including its main repertoire Korea Fantasy that combines traditional dances, the representative dance theatre Chum, Chunhyang, and its latest stylish work, Scent of Ink. Comprising more than 50 of Korea’s top dancers who offer dynamic and sophisticated performances, NDCK constantly strives to develop a range of repertoires and new works that will become the traditions of the future. Korean Culture Association (KCA) have worked since 1984, to promote succession, development, and globalization of Korean culture for 40 years. The KCA has been introducing the world to Korean traditional cultural items like Korean traditional paper, food, clothing, painting, crafts, and music. On top of the, we have talked lead as cultural ambassadors for the cultural exchange of Korean culture and world’s clutters through the event in which do participate diplomats in Korea from more than 50 countries. The KCA have organized international cultural exchange events by virtue of our close ties with some 100 Embassies in Korea for over 20 years. We are taking the lead in the field of the cultural exchange by letting the people of the world know the depth of the Korean culture and tourism resources through diplomats, international reporters, and other visitors in Korea, as well as in cooperation with the other representative cultural organizations from all over the world. We will do our best to contribute to the development of the Korean tourism industry alongside state and local government through the world-class festivals to attract foreign tourist, as well as the cultural diplomacy.   S.D.G Crew (Saeng Dong Gam Crew) is a team that shows eye-catching dark dance performances with wonderful productions throughout the performance. It was formed in 2002 and has been active together for more than 10 years. As a b-boy performance team boasting the best teamwork It is a b-boy crew that is opening a new horizon of a different b-boy performance through a unique and ingenious device that combines laser and media, not just a simple b-boy performance. The lively crew's LED Tron Dance is a high-quality performance that can be counted on the first finger among domestic blackout performances. LED Tron Dance is fun just to watch the performance, but you can also deliver a message or corporate image using LED props. In addition, the LED Tron Dance media performance, which collaborated with media images such as LED 2color Tron Dance, Obangsaek, and Michael Jackson Dance, will show a more splendid stage. Saengdonggam Crew produced “LED Tron Dance” for the first time in Korea and received public attention, starting with “Korea’s Got Talent Season II” and “SBS Stockings”. In 2014, she was invited to 'THE BEST LE Meilleur Artiste', which is hosted by France's TF1 channel, in which artists representing countries around the world participate, and was the first Asian country to perform on the final stage among 64 countries, performing shoulder to shoulder with artists representing countries around the world. value has been recognized. A performance combining media performance and Tron dance was produced and introduced through ‘KBS2 VJ Special Forces’, and captured the public’s heart through directing that was different from the existing performances.

OnStage Korea 2023 Season  Second Moon: Moonlight Flows  Monday, June 12 @ 7:00 P.M. Capital One Hall, The Vault 7750 Capital One Tower Rd, Tysons, VA 22102 Free Admission   RSVP UPDATE Thanks for your interest! Due to a strong response, this event is currently full and we are no longer accept additional RSVPs. We appreciate your understanding. We will try to accommodate any walk-in guests, but cannot guarantee admission or seating. Hope to see you soon at our future events. Many thanks! The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents acclaimed Korean performance group The Second Moon and their genre-defying, tradition-inspired music in a free concert event at Capital One Hall in Tyson Corner, Va. on Monday June 12 at 7:00 p.m. This latest showcase in the KCCDC performing arts series OnStage Korea continues the 2023 season’s eye-opening look at trends in popular Korean fusion music—often inspired, but not bound, by tradition. The Second Moon combines their unique personal style and musical vibes in a dynamic 7-member band, blending Korean pansori, a traditional form of musical storytelling, with traditional Irish music in the form of instruments such as the Irish whistle, bodhran, and mandolin. The group also represents the cutting-edge of contemporary creative music that can be both popular and commercially viable, producing original CF (commercial film) songs and OST (original sound track) music in Korea and Europe. The band gained recognition in 2006 when they earned both Rookie of the Year and Record of the Year at the Korean Music Awards, and their music was featured in hit K-dramas such as Princess Hours (2006) and Goong S (2007). The line between traditional and pop culture is often blurred in their music, lending a broad appeal, but the immersive audience experience remains paramount. The Second Moon was formed in 2004 with the aim of enriching listener’s lives with new sensibilities and novel musical experience. To this end, the group incorporates various world folk music traditions, especially Irish-style music. Their goal is to create and play richly textured, fun, and imaginative music for audiences of all ages. This concert is also among many cultural events commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Republic of Korea-United States alliance in 2023 and the longstanding ties of Korean-American friendship. This performance is sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), Arts Council Korea (ARKO), Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation (KoTPA). Tickets are free with a reservation.  About the Performers The Second Moon (stylized 2nd Moon) is a seven-member band formed in 2004 by guitarist Hyunbo Kim following a trip to Ireland where he picked up an interest in the local folk music. The group’s career began in earnest following work on the OST for the popular Korean TV drama Ireland and in 2005 they released their debut album entitled Second Moon. Incorporating various instruments such as the berimbau, Irish whistle, and mandolin, The Second Moon was selected for the newcomer of the year and record of the year prizes at the 2006 Korean Music Awards. Unusual for a band whose music does not include vocals, the group gained popular recognition and interest as evidenced by their inclusion on the list of Korea’s Top 100 Greatest Music Albums of All Time when they came to the public’s attention in 2006 and the use of their music in the popular TV drama Princess Hours broadcast on MBC. Although they temporarily disbanded after their early success, The Second Moon regrouped in 2012 and in 2015 released their second album How Have You Been? The following year they released the album Pansori Chunhyangga, a fusion of Korean pansori and world music, which won for best jazz and crossover award at the 2017 Korean Music Awards. Program The Moonlight Flows Modena Guaire How Have You Been? Love Song Farewell Song Song of a Farmer Here comes the Royal Inspector Kwaejina chingching nane Second Moon Medley Featured Musicians Kim Hyunbo | Guitar, Mandolin Choi Jinkyung | Keyboard, Accordion Jo Yunjeong | Violin Park Jongsun | Drums Lee Younghoon | Guitar Oh Danhae | Pansori Vocals Kim Daseul | Contrabass About OnStage Korea OnStage Korea presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. seeks to discover brilliant Korean and Korean-inspired artists and groups performing around the world, giving them an opportunity to showcase their creativity on stage for the American public in the Capital region. The program also fosters international cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of Korean performing arts and artists in mainstream America. Featuring a diverse range of new artists each year, OnStage Korea presents unique, exceptional performances free to the public in and around Washington, D.C. 📩 Inquiries:  Email: culturedc@mofa.go.kr Phone: +1-202-939-5688

OnStage Korea 2023 Season Opening Performance SaaWee and Hwang Gina  Sunday, April 16 @ 5:00 p.m. Union Stage at The Wharf 740 Water St. SW Washington, D.C. 20024 RSVP below for free tickets!  The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents two acclaimed Korean artists who redefine traditional music with contemporary style, SaaWee and Hwang Gina, in a back-to-back performance at DC’s Union Stage at The Wharf on Sunday April 16 at 5:00 p.m. This first showcase of the KCCDC’s performing arts series OnStage Korea kicks off the 2023 Season with an eye-opening look at recent trends in Korean creative music—often inspired by but not bound by tradition—including music by Latin Grammy-winning artist Sita Chay of SaaWee. SaaWee, comprised of Chay and percussionist Jihye Kim, will present their original work The Ritual of Le Sac in the first half, combining dynamic music and dance that draws inspiration from traditional Korean shamanistic performance and its cathartic spiritual impact. This performance includes an international collaboration with keyboardist Jason Lindner and contemporary dancer Sidra Bell.   Soloist Hwang Gina’s Scene: Geomungo Universe is a musical force of nature that fuses multiple rich aural traditions, including acoustic and electric string instruments as well as the iconic and evocative Korean geomungo, a 6-stringed Korean zither with a wide range of expression.   Combining their own unique personal style and musical vibes, these two groups represent the cutting-edge of contemporary creative music in Korea, where the line between traditional and pop culture is often blurred but the immersive audience experience remains paramount. This event is also part of a collection of cultural events celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance. About the Performers SaaWee was formed in 2018 with the goal of manifesting the spiritual aspects of Korean traditional music through the language of contemporary performance art in order to connect with global audiences. Having performed in New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Bogota, and Seoul, SaaWee intends each occasion to be unique, symbolizing the ephemeral nature of the moment and leading to creative collaborations with world artists. Artistically, SaaWee is a musical and spiritual journey inspired by traditional Korean shamanism and its performance rituals. SaaWee channels the electricity of the old and the new with an emphasis on musical fluidity, theatrical stage presence, and the incorporation of cross-cultural rhythms and melodies. The result is a uniquely rich sensory experience that transcends time and space.   SaaWee’s two members are Latin Grammy-winning violinist Sita Chay, based in New York, and Jihye Kim, provocative percussionist with the international ensemble FROMS. The duo was named a 2022 Creative Engagement Grantee by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC), a program funded by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts, for their creative effort to foster emotional awareness through ritual music and dance. SaaWee has performed at many influential venues including Ars Electronica Festival, St. Ann’s Warehouse located in Brooklyn, Lincoln Center, the Korean Cultural Center New York, and the historic Flushing Town Hall.   The Ritual of Le Sac   The Ritual of Le Sac is a narrative musical fantasy inspired by the mysterious life of an unborn baby swimming in the womb. The project was intended to recreate this universal experience of a memory behind the veil, and the transformative journey into the world. SaaWee recognizes that life and death are cyclical, and borrows from the wisdom of nature to confront the inevitable sense of loss that life entails. Only when we tap into our innate nature to create, connect, and harmonize is transformation possible. We dance and sing to overcome loss, and the new ritual can transform loss into hope.   Sita Chay | Director / Violinist / Composer Jihye Kim | Percussionist / Composer Jason Lindner | Keyboardist Sidra Bell | Contemporary Dancer   Do You Remember Where You Came From? Like a Fish Breathe Out the Water, Breathe in the Air Return   Hwang Gina has been reinterpreting the Korean geomungo zither as a modern solo instrument since 2017. Capitalizing on the instrument’s unique sound and vibrating physical presence, Hwang expands the infinite possibilities of traditional music with her sensuous creations, crossing genre boundaries of post-rock, neo-classical, and techno. Her second full-length album Short Film (2022) was well received in Korea for its new interpretation of classic repertoires, as well as its sound design and music production based on the unique aural attributes of the geomungo.   Scene: Geomungo Universe   Hwang Gina’s concert Scene: Geomungo Universe offers a surprisingly expansive landscape of sound, touching on many key elements of music with a single instrument: the iconic and ancient geomungo. The instrument’s infinite charm is exhibited through both traditional and unconventional techniques. Hwang strives to tell an atmospheric story with her music, using what she calls a “descriptive voice” created through the strings of her instrument. This landscape of melody unfolds through shifting sounds that invite the audience into a musical world, akin an engrossing film.   Hwang Gina | Geomungo   Dasurum Everything is Scattered Wish Dawn Ghetto Peace Huimori Constant Short Film   About OnStage Korea   OnStage Korea presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. seeks to discover brilliant Korean and Korean-inspired artists and groups performing around the world, giving them an opportunity to showcase their creativity on stage for the American public in the Capital region. The program also fosters international cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of Korean performing arts and artists in mainstream America. Featuring a diverse range of new artists each year, OnStage Korea presents unique, exceptional performances free to the public in and around Washington, D.C.

Lunar New Year Celebration featuring U-hee Company  The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage  February 2 at 6:00 p.m.  ❗UPDATE: Due to a strong response, tickets are currently sold out. We appreciate your understanding. We will try to accommodate any walk-in guests, but cannot guarantee admission or seating. For more information about ticketing and entry, click here: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/2023/02-february/lunar-new-year-uhee-nori/. Thank you.  The Kennedy Center will host its annual Lunar New Year Celebration, including a free performance of U-hee Nori by the visiting group U-hee Company from Korea on the Millennium Stage on February 2 at 6:00 p.m. With a bold, upbeat style that fuses K-Pop fashion and lively traditional music, U-hee Company has carved out a unique role in Korea’s international music diplomacy.  U-hee Company and the KCCDC will also partner with local public schools in Washington, D.C. and Virginia to have the group perform for student audiences. (While not open to the public, some of these events may welcome press coverage; please contact the KCCDC to inquire.) For more information about U-hee Company, click here: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/millennium-stage/2023/02-february/lunar-new-year-uhee-nori/  The Lunar New Year, which falls on January 22 in 2023 and is celebrated in multiple countries, is one of the most important traditional holidays in Korea, where it is known as Seollal. Traditionally, Seollal is considered a family-oriented holiday with a rich history that binds generations together—a time to reconnect with loved ones at home, enjoy traditional foods, pay respects to ancestors and elders, wear Hanbok clothing, play folk games, and wish one another well. All of these fulfilling cultural traditions have been part of Korean life and society for centuries. The KCCDC hopes to share this sentiment through these events as a means to bring the greater community together at an important time of year.