From Arirang to K-pop... The Korea-Japan Festival Held Online for the Third Year

Hanil Festival Executive Chairman "Wishing for Good Relations Between Korea and Japan"

On September 24, at the stage installed in the Korean Cultural Center in Japan located in Tokyo, students from the Tsudanuma High School choir in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, are singing in hanbok at the "Korea-Japan Festival Hanmadang 2022 in Tokyo." [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] On the afternoon of the 24th, about 20 Japanese high school students dressed in colorful hanbok sang Arirang on stage to the accompaniment of an electronic organ, live-streamed on YouTube.

This was a scene from "Hanil Festival Hanmadang 2022 in Tokyo," organized by the Hanil Festival Hanmadang Executive Committee at the Korean Cultural Center in Tokyo, Japan.

Hanil Festival Hanmadang began in 2005 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. It was held annually in Seoul until 2009, and since then, it has been held alternately in Seoul and Tokyo. The "Hanil Festival Hanmadang in Seoul," aimed at improving Korea-Japan relations, will be held on the 25th.

The choir students from Tsudanuma High School, a prefectural school in Chiba (千葉), Japan, showcased their Korean language skills and vocal abilities by performing folk songs and ballads such as "Arirang," "Spring in My Hometown," and "Forward."

Despite evaluations that Korea-Japan relations are at their worst since diplomatic ties were established, this event, marking its 14th year, continued efforts to promote exchanges between the two countries and expand cultural connections.

The samulnori team "Baekhwa," composed of students led by Lee Changseop, a disciple of Lee Kwangsu who elevated samulnori to a performing art, performed seated samulnori. Gayageum player Kim Eol attracted online viewers with a performance accompanied by janggu drumming.

Additionally, a Korea-Japan exchange quiz contest was held, providing participants with an opportunity to compete in knowledge about the cultures of both countries.

The boy group "T1419," consisting of five Koreans and four Japanese members, and the five-member girl group "Prequel" also drew attention.

Mikio Sasaki (佐佐木幹夫), the Japanese executive committee chairman of Hanil Festival Hanmadang, expressed at the opening of the event, "I sincerely hope that a better relationship will be built in various fields including cultural exchange between Korea and Japan and that it will develop into a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship."

Son Kyung-sik, the Korean executive committee chairman of Hanil Festival Hanmadang, stated, "Hanil Festival Hanmadang is the largest exchange event created together by Koreans and Japanese. I hope it will greatly contribute to building a future-oriented Korea-Japan relationship and the development of Korea-Japan exchanges."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.