By Ochiaka Ugwu
Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) hosted an exhibition on “K-pop Meets Korean Traditional Music” aimed at cultural integration and promoting both genres of traditional Korean and Nigerian music across the two nations and globally as well.
Speaking at the event held at the Korean Cultural Centre in Abuja Monday, KCCN Director, Mr. Jeon, Ju Ho said the exhibition focuses on promoting traditional Korean music in bond with K-pop which boosts the cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria.
He said as Korean Cultural Centre in Nigeria; they were promoting Korea traditional music in Nigeria with the hope that traditional Nigerian music could also be introduced in Korea.
He also expressed Korean’s readiness for collaboration opportunities like afrobeat with Korean Music which he said can be interesting trials.
At the event which featured K-pop dance performance by the Extreme Movement, Korean traditional instruments exhibition, among others, Jeon advocated Nigeria, Korea music collaboration to promote the country’s traditional music infused in K-pop.
He further said the exhibition was held to explore the fusion of Korea’s rich musical heritage with the global influence of contemporary K-pop
Continuing, Jeon said the display focused on Korean traditional music in bond with the K-pop, which was the core of the ‘Hallyu’ that could foster the cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria.
His words, “The exhibition focuses on Korean traditional music in bond with K-pop which was the core of the ‘Hallyu’ that can boost the cultural exchange between Korea and Nigeria.
“As Korea Cultural Centre in Nigeria, we are promoting Korea traditional music in Nigeria with the hope that traditional Nigerian music could also be introduced in Korea.
“We are also open to collaboration opportunities like afrobeat with Korean Music which can be interesting trials.
“The purpose of the exhibition is to introduce Korean traditional music to the Nigerian audience by bringing the medium of K-pop, which they are all familiar with.
“It is obvious that many Nigerians do not know about Korean traditional music, the reason we decided to bring Korean traditional music instruments that are also used in K-pop music. People will not have interest when it comes to traditional things because they are used to K-pop,” he said.
“When it comes to Korean traditional music, to be honest, there has not been any collaboration around Afrobeat.
“This exhibition is from the National Gugak Centre, which is the primary institution of learning for Korean traditional music, not only the Korean Culture Centre.
“The government and institutions are searching for more collaboration and opportunities to bring the arts for exchanges to the next level,” he stated.
The exhibition showcased some Korean traditional costumes and musical instruments which attested to Korea’s rich cultural heritage that Nigerians need to explore.
Nong-ak, cheonnyeomense(pungnyu), Gayageum, Yonggo, Jing, Jabara, Taepyeongso, Chwibali mask of Bongdan Talachim, Malttugi mask of Bongdan Talachim, among others were on display which gave the event attraction.
Recall that K-pop, which originated in Korea, was now loved by countless fans around the world, and their music contains elements of Korean traditional music, providing even deeper emotional impact.
However, this exhibition “K-pop Meets Korean Music” was prepared by the National Gugak Center and Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, to introduce the new artistic attempts created when K-pop and Korean traditional music meet within the flow of the Korean Wave, and the original forms of Korean traditional music that could be seen within K-pop.
It showed how Korean traditional music was being interpreted within K-pop, and present the branches of Korean traditional music that can be found in various K-pop works, divided into three categories.
It hopes that participants can experience the diverse spectrum of Korean art through Korean traditional music instruments, masks, and costumes that were expressed performatively on brilliant stages.
