School of Korean Traditional Arts Successfully Concludes South Korea-China Youth Traditional Music Exchange Concert

The School of Korean Traditional Arts (dean Sung Kisook) participated in the South Korea-China Youth Traditional Music Exchange Concert, “Harmony and Companionship through Music” (Chinese title: ‘弦音同行’ xian yin tong hang), hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai (director Kang Yongmin) on Thursday, July 17.

On one level, this concert served as an exchange between students of the School of Korean Traditional Arts of K-Arts and the Shanghai Conservatory of Music (president Liao Changyong). On a deeper level, it acted as an exercise in cultural diplomacy, encouraging the next generation of artists to collaborate and understand one another while transcending borders and language barriers.

The School of Korean Traditional Arts, founded in 1998, aims to foster professionals who not only academically explore traditional arts—centered on music, song, and dance—but also amplify their performance skills to meet the demands of the changing era. The Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, founded in 2007 by the Ministry of Culture and Sports (antecedent of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in South Korea, is dedicated to expanding cultural exchange between South Korea and China. The Shanghai Conservatory of Music (SHCM), originally the National Conservatory of Music established in 1927, is China’s first independent national music institution of higher education.

The title “xian yin tong hang” literally means “Let’s come together and harmonize through music.”True to its name, students from K-Arts and SHCM connected through their shared passion for traditional music. The School of Korean Traditional Arts presented a range of performances, including “Han Gap-deuk School of Geomungo Sanjo” by Professor Yoo Youngju, the wind ensemble “Hamnyeongjigok (melody of complete serenity)” by current K-Arts students, the piri solo “Sangryeongsan (prayer to the Buddha on the spiritual mountain)” by Professor Jin Yoonkyung, and the wind ensemble “Sinawi” delivered by current and grduate students.

The final joint performance – featuring “Arirang,” a representative Korean traditional song, and “Zi Zhu Diao (Purple Bamboo Melody),” a beloved Chinese folk tune from southern China was the highlight of the day, uniting audiences of both nations through the universal language of music.

Dean Sung Kisook remarked, “This event has laid the groundwork for ongoing collaboration between traditional music institutions from South Korea and China. It has also provided a valuable opportunity for students to meet in person, gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures, and connect through traditional music. The School of Korean Traditional Arts will continue to promote diversity and cultural coexistence throughout Asia. Lastly, I extend my sincere gratitude to everyone at the KCC Shanghai who supported this event.”