And Korea’s traditional sounds and sights were on display at Times Square in New York to usher in the official opening of the Korea Center there.
Our culture correspondent Song Yoo-jin files this report from the Big Apple.
Surrounded by giant billboards and towering buildings, the distinct sound of traditional Korean instruments being played, the kkwaenggwari and taepyeongso, fill the air.
Musicians not only play but dance to their music.
The stage? One of the world’s busiest crossroads, Times Square.
This is the National Gugak Center’s Korean folk music performance, “Pangut.”
“This is my fourth time visiting Times Square, but it’s my first time performing here instead of just sightseeing. It feels really special, and I hope that by performing in front of so many people today, we can help spread Korean culture.”
The show is a kickoff event, counting down to the official opening of the New York Korea Center.
Described by the Culture Ministry as a “comprehensive hub of Korean culture,” the Korea Center brings together the overseas branches of the Korean Cultural Center, Korea Tourism Organization, Korea Creative Content Agency, and the King Sejong Institute under one roof.
Currently, there are five branches; in Los Angeles, Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris.
With just a day until the center’s opening, the Culture Ministry partnered with the National Gugak Center for the “Pangut” performance to raise awareness and boost excitement.
“Very cool and very unique. We’ve never seen like this scene before. So we were just standing and like kind of woo!”
“It’s something and people should know about the traditions because a lot of people they are not familiar with the indigenous traditions and also introducing something like that it’s really nice.”
“The stage is set and the excitement here is palpable, as you can see. All that’s left now is the grand opening of the New York Korea Center Thursday night in Manhattan.
Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News, New York.”
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=272536
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