We have been counting down the days until K-Music 2013 and we're very excited to see the National Orchestra of Korea open the festival at the Barbican tomorrow, in their London debut. Keen to delve beyond the recent K-Pop successes, we are introducing a broader, bigger picture of both innovative an traditional Korean music for an entire week.
This weekend also sees David Thomas and his legendary band Pere Ubu pairing up with avant garde Korean rock band Uhuhboo Project for a night of experimental sounds and electric chemistry at London’s Scala. Since forming in 1975, Pere Ubu has developed a large and dedicated following, establishing themselves as one of the world’s most innovative and progressive rock bands.
Uhuhboo Project, formed in 1994 by Hyunjhin Baik and Young-gyu Jang, is one of Korea’s influential, first generation of indie bands, with distinguished fans, including the choreographer Pina Bausch and director Park Chan-wook. In fact, the band has made scores for two Park Chan-wook films – Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) and Night Fishing (2011), in which the members featured in a scene in the latter film that later won the Golden Bear for Best Short Film at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The night will be accompanied by delectable kimchi tacos and fried kimchi rice balls prepared by Kimchinary, a London food truck set up by self-confessed “pork fat addict with a fermentation fascination” - Sweden-born Hanna Soderlund. The tacos and rice balls will be sold in the Scala’s foyer bar throughout the concert.
The National Orchestra of Korea Friday 14 June Barbican (Tickets here)
Uhuhboo Project + Pere Ubu Sunday 16 June Scala (Tickets here)
Geomungo Factory Wednesday 19 June Cadogan Hall (Tickets here)
Yi Sung Yol + Kiha & The Faces Thursday 20 June Scala (Tickets here)
Pansori Night – Ahn Sook-Sun Friday 21 June Cadogan Hall (Tickets here)
For full details of all shows and to buy your tickets visit serious.org.uk/K-Music and use the Twitter hashtag #KMusic2013 to keep up with all the news!
K-Music Festival 2013 is in conjunction with Korean Cultural Centre UK
