PROGRAMMES
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K-Music Festival 2026: Jisu Jung & Baroque in Blue Event Date 23 Nov 2026
A New Dialogue Between Baroque and Jazz Mon 23 Nov | Upstairs at Ronnie’s Korean pianist and composer Jisu Jung brings her acclaimed project Baroque in Blue to Ronnie Scott's as part of this year's K-Music Festival. Blending the elegance of Baroque music with the spontaneity and rhythmic energy of jazz, Jung and her ensemble create a compelling dialogue between two seemingly distant musical worlds. Price: From £30 BOOK NOW Drawing on her background in both classical music and jazz, Jisu Jung creates a distinctive musical language that brings the two traditions into conversation. Baroque in Blue reimagines the music of the Baroque era through the lens of jazz, combining the elegance and intricacy of composers such as Bach with the spontaneity, groove and improvisational freedom of contemporary jazz. Performed by an ensemble that unites musicians from both classical and jazz backgrounds, the project explores the meeting point between composition and improvisation, structure and spontaneity. The result is a fresh and engaging programme that offers a new perspective on familiar musical traditions while showcasing Jisu Jung's unique voice as a composer, arranger and performer. ●“The most unexpected and freshest chamber music I’ve heard in years. Jisu Jung is a truly unique musician… new, fresh, and original. I guarantee you’ve never heard Charlie Parker’s Billie’s Bounce presented like this before!” - Vadim Neselovskyi, Berklee College of Music ●“Among Korean musicians, Jisu Jung stands out for her rare ability to weave jazz and classical music together without distorting or diluting the essence of either.” — MM Jazz Magazine ●“Just as Baroque’s straight lines can bend into curves, and jazz’s curves can refract into lines, Jung’s work reveals that meeting point… a testament to her remarkable artistic insight.” — Jazz People Magazine LINE-UP Jisu Jung Piano Hachul Song Saxophone Hyeonjin Jung Viola Kanghyun Lee Cello
Post Date 01 Jul 2026 -
K-Music Festival 2026: Dongyang Gozupa Event Date 11 Nov 2026
A Genre-Defying Sonic Journey Tue 10 Nov | Oxford University Wed 11 Nov | Rich Mix London Fri 13 Nov | University of Leeds Dongyang Gozupa, the genre-defying Korean power trio, return with an electrifying fusion of post-rock intensity, electronic textures, and yanggeum-driven rhythms into a powerful, wordless sonic journey that expands across dynamic, shifting soundscapes. Price: From£18 + booking fee BOOK NOW Dongyang Gozupa, who previously wowed UK audiences with their London debut in 2021, returns to the UK stage with an even more dynamic and immersive sound. As part of their upcoming tour across the UK and Europe, the trio will present not only their signature repertoire but also premiere new material from their forthcoming release at K-Music this year, reaching wider audiences with their evolving musical vision. Dongyang Gozupa’s music transcends genre. Rooted in progressive and post-rock, their sound is enriched by the psychedelic possibilities of the yanggeum (Korean metal-stringed zither), combined with bass and percussion to create a powerful, rhythm-driven sonic landscape. The name “Dongyang Gozupa,” meaning “Eastern High Frequency,” reflects their trailblazing approach—where intricate rhythmic “dots” connect into flowing “lines,” forming an expressive and ever-shifting musical narrative without the need for vocals. Internationally acclaimed, the band was selected as an official showcase artist at WOMEX for two consecutive years (2020–2021), marking a significant milestone for an Asian act. Since then, they have continued to build a strong global presence through performances at major festivals and venues, including WOMAD Chile, the Rainforest World Music Festival in Malaysia, and London’s Southbank Centre, as well as appearances at the Lincoln Center in New York. Blending tradition with innovation, Dongyang Gozupa invites audiences into a powerful, wordless musical journey that resonates across cultures and borders. LINE-UP Dohyuk Jang Percussion Eunhwa Yun Yanggeum Minhwi Ham Bass
Post Date 01 Jul 2026 -
K-Music Festival 2026: Kyungso Park + Björn Meyer Event Date 29 Oct 2026
An Intimate, Transcendent Dialogue of Strings Thu 29 OCT | Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall (On-sale date TBC) Gayageum innovator Kyungso Park and bassist Björn Meyer meet in an intimate cross-cultural dialogue of resonance, improvisation, and deeply expressive sonic exploration. When Park’s eloquent, bittersweet melodies meet Meyer’s evocative, singing bass, they create a rich sonic world of touch, breath and resonance. This is more than a concert — it is a mature, imaginative and wide-awake musical conversation between two artists who listen deeply across traditions, instruments and borders. Price: From£18 + booking fee BOOK NOW Kyungso Park For more than two decades, Park has been shaping a contemporary language for the gayageum, the Korean plucked zither — not only as a performer of tradition, but as a composer, improviser and collaborator with a substantial body of original work. Selected as an ARKO Young Art Frontier artist by Arts Council Korea, she has developed a distinctive artistic voice through solo albums, traditional repertoire, contemporary composition and collaborations across continents. Across the US, Brazil and Europe, Park has worked with musicians including Jaques Morelenbaum, Benjamim Taubkin, Marcos Suzano, Blitz the Ambassador and Renald Deppe, later joining legendary British saxophonist Andy Sheppard for an acclaimed K-Music Festival collaboration. Reviewing her New York performances, New York Music Daily described Park as “one of the most fascinating performances in any New York venue this year.” Björn Meyer Joining her is Meyer, acclaimed for expanding the sonic and expressive possibilities of the electric bass in acoustic spaces. Known for his profound solo work on the legendary ECM label and his cross-cultural collaborations with masters like Anouar Brahem and Nik Bärtsch, Meyer treats the performance space itself as a “second member” of his music, creating striking sonorities and intimate, rich-grained textures. “... Meyer is in total control of his art, presenting this music with soul, intelligence, a tinge of mischief and a barrelful of love.” — Frank Alkyer, DownBeat This programme is presented by the Korean Cultural Centre UK in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall as part of its Late Night Jazz series. LINE-UP Kyungso Park Gayageum Björn Meyer Bass
Post Date 01 Jul 2026 -
K-Music Festival 2026: Chudahye Chagis Event Date 17 Oct 2026
Hypnotic Shamanic Funk Beyond Genres Sat 17 Oct | Rich Mix Driven by a striking voice, Chu Dahye returns with psychedelic shamanic funk, blending traditional muga chants with funk, rock, jazz, and hip-hop to create a hypnotic ritual performance where music transforms into powerful collective energy. Price: From£18 + booking fee BOOK NOW Chu Dahye, the magnetic voice behind the electrifying RAVE that turned the Southbank Centre into a pulsating club night, returns to London with a bold new sonic vision. With her band Chudahye Chagis, she brings a psychedelic funk rooted in shamanic chants (Muga) where voice blends ancient Muga with elements of reggae, jazz, hip-hop, funk, dance, and rock. This groundbreaking combination earned them widespread recognition, winning Best R&B/Soul Song at the Korean Music Awards in 2021 for Ritual Dance, their first album. Their second album SOSUMINJOK went on to win Album of the Year and Best R&B/Soul Song at the 23rd Korean Music Awards in 2026, making them a double winner. Built around a tight interplay of vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, the music unfolds like a living ritual—shifting between hypnotic grooves, explosive energy, and moments of haunting stillness. It is not just a concert, but a shared experience that blurs the line between stage and audience. Her performance carries an emotional intensity that is at once raw, theatrical, and deeply immersive. Returning to London, Chu Dahye invites audiences into a performance that is visceral, unpredictable, and unforgettable—where tradition is not preserved, but vividly brought to life. LINE-UP Chu Dahye Vocals Simun Lee Guitar Jaeho Kim Bass Davin Kim Drum
Post Date 30 Jun 2026 -
K-Music Festival 2026: Korean Games in Concert Event Date 11 Oct 2026
A Cinematic Orchestral Journey Reimagining Black Desert’s Legendary Soundtrack Sun 11 OCT | Purcell Room, Southbank Centre Embark on a spectacular orchestral adventure to celebrate a decade of Black Desert and its legendary compositions. The National Gugak Center reimagines iconic Korean game soundtracks, including Black Desert, using traditional instruments and visuals for a cinematic orchestral live experience. Price: From£17 + booking fee BOOK NOW The National Gugak Center’s world-class ensemble brings Korea’s best gaming soundtracks to life, reimagining them through the rich textures and profound resonance of traditional Korean instruments. The legendary compositions of the hugely popular online role-playing game Black Desert, alongside a selection of other iconic gaming soundtracks, have shaped Korea’s modern gaming culture. Now, you can hear them like never before in a breathtaking performance that bridges heritage and contemporary culture. And accompanied by stunning visuals that capture the majestic landscapes of historic Seoul and the royal Gyeongbokgung Palace. The jewel of the evening features music from the critically acclaimed Land of the Morning Light: Seoul expansion from Black Desert. Plus, hear melodies from Lies of P, Solo Leveling: ARISE, Skul: The Hero Slayer, SANABI and Let’s Get Rich rearranged for traditional Korean instruments. Allow yourself to be captivated by a dazzling night where the mystical breath of the daegeum flute, the emotional depth of the haegeum strings, and the thunderous pulse of traditional percussion unite to elevate these iconic soundtracks into an exquisite art form.
Post Date 30 Jun 2026