Home » TRAVEL EVENT NEWS » Experience the 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music and Arts Expo in South Korea: A Global Celebration of Gugak and Korean Cultural Heritage Published on
September 12, 2025Gugak, Korea’s traditional music, and its cultural significance will be celebrated on a global scale at the 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music and Arts Expo, which will take place from September 12 to October 11. This expo, which is being held in Yeongdong County, 185 kilometres southeast of Seoul, offers a rare and historic chance to learn about the origins of Korean music, which have helped K-pop become so popular around the world. This first event has the potential to become a major factor in the international recognition of Korean music and culture.An Introduction to Gugak and the Expo’s VisionGugak, the term for Korean traditional music, encompasses a variety of musical genres, including court music, folk songs, and ritual music. With deep ties to Korean history and culture, gugak has influenced contemporary genres, including K-pop, which has become a global phenomenon. Through the 2025 Yeongdong World Traditional Music and Arts Expo, organisers aim to broaden the audience for gugak, foster exchange among musicians and industry professionals, and boost the local economy through cultural tourism. This multi-faceted expo not only showcases traditional performances but also emphasises gugak’s relevance in the modern era.Advertisement A Spectacular Opening CeremonyThe grand opening ceremony, held at the Yeongdong Citizens’ Stadium, marked the beginning of the expo with a dazzling array of performances and cultural exhibitions. Approximately 10,000 attendees, including local government officials, gugak performers, and residents, gathered to witness the ceremonial start. The evening was filled with a street parade that featured traditional artists from around the world, showcasing the universal appeal of traditional music. One of the key highlights of the evening was an awe-inspiring air show by Korea’s Black Eagles, adding a touch of modern spectacle to the event.After the air show, performances by the National Gugak Centre and the Nangye Gugak Orchestra took centre stage. A large-scale percussion performance, involving 200 residents from Yeongdong, also captivated the crowd, symbolising the strong community involvement in the preservation and promotion of gugak. To bring the ceremony to a close, all participants, along with the audience, joined in a powerful rendition of “Yeongdong Arirang”, a traditional Korean folk song. This moment not only united the performers and spectators but also served as a poignant reminder of the unbreakable bond between music and community.Exhibition Halls: The …
