Korean Music Festival, Lecture, Concert & Workshop Series

Korean music 2

THURSDAY 13th JUNE

Introductions by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures’ Executive Dean, Professor Andrew Thorpe, Pro Dean International Dr Jasjit Singh, and the Korean Cultural Centre UK.

Keynote lecture by Dr Sunhee Koo, University of Auckland

“Overseas Koreans, Music, and Sense of Well-Being in the Context of Migration”; how does music provide a medium and space for the sense of comfort, reward, joy, and happiness in the context of migration? This lecture explores the relationship between music and emotional well-being within diverse Korean diasporic communities in America, China, Japan, and the North Korean community in South Korea.Sunhee Koo is a senior lecturer in ethnomusicology and chair of anthropology at Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Her research centres on East Asian performing arts, delving into the intricate dynamics of ethnicity, nation, and identity.

6pm | Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall

Korean traditional music concert with 조선 풍류정 Joseon Punglyu Jeong

Joseon Punglyu Jeong performs traditional Korean music in the beautiful Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall. Composed of former concertmasters at the National Gugak (Korean traditional music) Centre, the  Korean traditional music ensemble engages in various activities aimed at preserving traditional culture and developing new cultural content in Korea. These activities include exploring the region's history and cultural heritage, creating cultural content, performing as a form of talent donation, and providing young artists with opportunities to perform and generate employment. Joseon Punglyu Jeong will showcase the essence of traditional Korean music, encompassing both Jeongak (Court Music) and folk music.

7pm | Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall


FRIDAY 14th JUNE

Pop-up booths 

Korean Street Food & Kimchi • Hello-K • Four Cuts Photo Booth • Korean Traditional Games • Hanbok (Korean Traditional Clothes) Experiences •  Raffle

10am-4pm | School of Music.

Korean music workshop

10am | Lecture Theatre 1, School of Music.

Discussing the Korean hip-hop music industry with James An

11am | Lecture Theatre 2, School of Music.

Korean Jogakbo patchwork upcycling workshop with Dr Hye-Won Lim

12pm | Lecture Theatre 3, School of Music.

K-pop dance workshop with KDS

1pm | Dance Studio, Leeds University Union. 

Workshop on Musical landscapes of North and South Korea with Dr Sunhee Koo

1pm | Lecture Theatre 4, School of Music.

K-pop/hip-hop workshop with James An

2pm | Lecture Theatre 1, School of Music.

Korean culture & language workshop with Dr Cuie Xu

3pm | Lecture Theatre 2, School of Music.

K-pop contest 

4pm | Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall.

K-Hip-hop concert with James An

James An is an independent hip hop artist based in South Korea. As one of the rising names in the South Korean hip hop scene, he made his name known through Show Me The Money, a survival hip hop audition program, reaching top 30 in Season 10. Despite the fact that mere seconds of his performance aired on the program, viewers were captivated by his rap, with which he eventually released in his highly anticipated single, “One For The Old School (feat. twlv).” The track was featured on Rolling Stone India and described as “an homage to old school hip-hop and culture… and a message of living your life.”

7pm | Stylus 

Visit Fixr or Ticket Source to book tickets for James An. 


Sign up for individual events on eventbrite.

Those wanting to attend the James An performance must visit Fixr or Ticket Source to book tickets. 

For more information about the festival and specific events, contact Dr Hyunah Cho (H.Cho@leeds.ac.uk)