Three Days of ‘Gwan.Jo.(觀.照.)-Reflecting Myself’ Performance at Pungnyu Sarangbang
Meditation Expert Lee Jeong-eun and Four Performing Groups to Appear… Showcasing a Variety of Traditional and Creative Korean Music
The National Gugak Center (Acting Director Kang Dae-geum) announced on the 5th that it will hold a meditation experience performance ‘Gwan.Jo.(觀.照.)-Reflecting Myself’ for three days from September 16 to 18 at the seated theater Pungnyu Sarangbang.
Unlike typical meditation music concerts, this performance offers a new theater experience of appreciating traditional music in a meditative state. Audiences will focus on their breath and calm their minds under the guidance of a meditation expert before enjoying the traditional music performance. The unique resonance of traditional music extends beyond a simple auditory experience to an artistic experience that resonates throughout the body and mind.
Focusing on the Philosophical Commonalities of Traditional Music and Meditation
The National Gugak Center explained that this performance was planned based on the idea that the profound breath, beauty of emptiness, and rhythms resembling nature inherent in traditional music resonate with modern meditation.
As meditation's effects on improving concentration and restoring mental and physical health have been scientifically proven, the population engaging in meditation continues to grow, with global companies incorporating meditation programs into their work.
Through meditation, one can momentarily pause the consciousness of daily life and awaken dulled senses, allowing for a deep immersion in the existence of ‘music and me’ to restore inner peace and discover a new self, according to the National Gugak Center.
Music Meditation Expert Lee Jeong-eun Participates
This performance features meditation expert Lee Jeong-eun as a consultant and guide, leading the audience into meditation. Lee Jeong-eun, a music meditation expert who has developed and guided meditation programs for large domestic companies, stated, “Meditation is the training to notice this moment as it is,” adding, “Listening to music in a state of awakened senses will be a completely different level of experience.”
Based on his extensive experience guiding various professionals in diverse settings, he plans to lead the audience into meditation between performances.
A Diverse Repertoire from Traditional to Creative Korean Music
All four affiliated performing groups of the National Gugak Center will participate in the performance. Audiences will be able to enjoy a balanced selection of Jeongak, Minyo, dance, and creative Korean music.
They will encounter traditional masterpieces such as ‘Sujecheon’, ‘Sinawi’, ‘Seoljanggu’, ‘Salpuri’, and ‘Seungmu’, as well as beloved creative Korean music pieces like ‘The Most Beautiful Things in the World’ (composed by Kang Sang-gu), ‘Moon Halo’ (composed by Jeong Dae-seok), and ‘Jeoknyeom’ (composed by Kim Young-jae).
A representative from the National Gugak Center stated, “The experience of focusing on something on stage in a theater is ultimately not different from contemplation (觀照),” and expressed hope that this performance, accompanied by meditation, will provide an opportunity to experience deep appreciation and rediscover and expand the values inherent in traditional music.
The National Gugak Center's meditation experience performance ‘Gwan.Jo.(觀.照.)-Reflecting Myself’ will be held daily at 7:30 PM from September 16 to 18 at the National Gugak Center Pungnyu Sarangbang.
Tickets are priced at 20,000 won and can be reserved through the National Gugak Center website (www.gugak.go.kr) or by phone (02-580-3399). Inquiries can be made at 02-580-3300.
Written by: Healing News