The National Gugak Orchestra, an affiliate of the National Theater of Korea, will present the final showcase of its '2026 Composer Project' on August 21 at the National Theater's Daloreum Theater. Five emerging composers — Kim San-ha, Park Da-eun, Park Jun-seok, Lee Jae-jun, and Jung Ji-yoon — will premiere five new works, the culmination of approximately six months of dedicated effort. This event is highly anticipated to inject new vitality into the creative ecosystem of gugak (traditional Korean music) orchestra.
Fostering Future Gugak: The 'Composer Project'
Initiated as part of the National Theater of Korea's "Value-Creating National Theater" initiative, the 'Composer Project' aims to discover and cultivate next-generation creators grounded in traditional Korean music. Building on the success of the 'Conductor Project' (2022-2024), which fostered specialized gugak orchestra conductors, the National Gugak Orchestra expanded its focus to composition in 2025. This program now identifies and nurtures emerging composers who will lead the future of gugak.
This project distinguishes itself from typical open calls that merely solicit completed works and offer performance opportunities. Instead, it provides comprehensive, practical support, including mentoring, workshops, and reading sessions, designed to enhance the creative capabilities of emerging composers. A key aspect is offering the chance to test and refine large-scale gugak orchestra compositions through live performances. This valuable opportunity helps composers bridge the gap between their musical vision and its realization, a feature that has garnered significant acclaim.
Rigorous Selection and Systematic Mentoring Shape New Works
The call for the second cohort of the '2026 Composer Project' targeted composers under 34, both domestically and internationally. From 25 applicants, eight were initially selected based on evaluations of their submitted scores and project proposals. To ensure even higher artistic quality for this year's performances, an internal interim evaluation was introduced. In June, following demonstrations and surveys by National Gugak Orchestra members, a comprehensive assessment of each composer's understanding of gugak orchestra, the completeness of their work, and their developmental potential led to the final selection of five composers: Kim San-ha, Park Da-eun, Park Jun-seok, Lee Jae-jun, and Jung Ji-yoon.
During the project, the practical mentoring program was significantly enhanced. Conductor Kim Sung-guk, who led the '2025 Composer Project', participated this year as a facilitator, guiding the creative direction of the emerging composers. Additionally, Son Da-hye and Hong Min-woong, the National Gugak Orchestra's 2025 Resident Composers, served as mentors, providing invaluable practical advice. This systematic support allowed each composer to develop their individual style while integrating expert insights, promising highly polished and complete works for the premiere.
Five New Perspectives Blending Tradition and Modernity
The concert will premiere five new works, each approximately 10 minutes in length, reflecting the composers' unique perspectives and deep understanding of the gugak orchestra. Part 1 opens with Lee Jae-jun's 'Shindorim Station, About Its Congestion', which translates the dynamic hustle and bustle of Seoul's Shindorim subway station, serving hundreds of thousands daily, into a vibrant tapestry of gugak orchestral colors. Next, Kim San-ha's 'Seomgeuneul' (Island Shade) reinterprets melodies and rhythms directly sampled from the Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut ritual, conveying the healing message inherent in the 'gut' (shamanic ritual). Concluding Part 1 is Park Da-eun's 'Boksakkot Noleum' (Peach Blossom Play), a whimsical piece imagining foreign immortals visiting the Korean realm of immortals to collectively enjoy 'pungnyu' (traditional Korean artistic pursuit).
Part 2 commences with Jung Ji-yoon's 'Yeokkeumneungseon' (Entwined Ridge). This piece utilizes compositional techniques from Honam Udo Nongak and Utgari Nongak, traditional Korean farmer's music, to evoke the journey of ascending and descending mountains, a theme that deeply resonates with the patterns of human life. The grand finale will be Park Jun-seok's 'Soeui Kkum' (Dream of Iron), a work inspired by 'Bulgasari', a mythical iron-eating monster from Korean folklore. It powerfully depicts the transformation of iron, long dormant in the deep mountains and dreaming, as it gradually gains life and morphs into a colossal creature, conveyed through melodies that are both profound and at times ethereal, promising a strong impact.
