Gwangmyeong City to Present 'Beat Up Gwangmyeong': A Modern Reinterpretation of 450-Year-Old Gwangmyeong Nongak

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province is revitalizing the city by adding a modern touch to 'Gwangmyeong Nongak,' a tradition with a 450-year history.

Gwangmyeong City to Stage "Beat Up Gwangmyeong," a Modern Reinterpretation of 450-Year-Old Gwangmyeong Nongak. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

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On May 8 at 7 p.m., the city will hold the 19th regular performance by the Gwangmyeong City Traditional Arts Troupe, titled 'Beat Up Gwangmyeong,' at the Gwangmyeong Citizens Hall.

This performance aims to provide citizens with a high-quality cultural experience by offering a modern reinterpretation of Gwangmyeong Nongak, which is recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Gyeonggi Province.

The main highlight is the 'moving Nongak,' which combines the powerful beats of 450-year-old Gwangmyeong Nongak with the dynamic energy of a marching band, where performers march and play in formation.

The performance connects the inherent 'joyfulness' of Nongak with the modern audience's 'heartbeat,' delivering the vibrant, unyielding vitality of Korean music on stage.

The performance consists of seven acts, each illustrating the transformation of tradition into modernity, step by step.

It opens with 'Ttak (Mungut),' which invites the audience into the performance, followed by 'Eolssu (Binari),' a song wishing for family well-being, and 'Doong (Sogo Dance),' which incorporates a modern rhythm, among others.

Notably, the Korean traditional music band 'Jerkle' will join to enrich the sound. In the climax, 'Marching Pangut,' instruments such as bufos, sogo drums, lion masks, and yeoldu-bal (twelve-footed dance) come together to deliver an explosive burst of energy.

Gwangmyeong City to Present "Beat Up Gwangmyeong," a Modern Reinterpretation of 450 Years of Gwangmyeong Nongak. Photo by Gwangmyeong City

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The finale features the performers and audience coming together to sing the folk song 'Naljom Boso,' creating a sense of unity.

Organized as a festival that can be enjoyed by all generations, this performance introduces a new format based on the original form of Gwangmyeong Nongak, strengthening the region's cultural identity and enhancing civic pride.

Kang Sung-hyun, Artistic Director of the Gwangmyeong City Traditional Arts Troupe, stated, "This performance will elevate the audience's pulse and awaken dormant artistic senses. I hope citizens will fill themselves with energy for tomorrow at this site where tradition evolves from a legacy of the past into a living future."

Admission to this performance is free for all seats. Citizens interested in attending can reserve up to two tickets per person through the Gwangmyeong City Arts Troupe Ticket Box website.

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