'K-Pop Demon Hunters' Ancestor: Traditional 'Japga' Performance Unveiled

The roots of this year's global 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' phenomenon can be traced back to the traditional vocalists of the Joseon Dynasty.

On October 11th at 4 PM, the Guri Art Hall's Yuchaekkot Small Theater will host the 'Japga Beyond the Gate' performance, part of the Gyeong-u Sound Series. This event reinterprets 'Japga,' a traditional Korean vocal genre once hailed as the pinnacle of K-content in the 20th century.

Led by the young Gyeonggi singer Nam Gyeong-woo, a inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Gyeonggi Folk Song, the performance will feature fellow vocalists Kim Min-ji, Yoon Se-yeon, and Jeong Jun-pil. They will present the essence of Joseon's traditional vocal music, 'Japga,' with a fresh, youthful energy.

Supported by the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation's premiere performance grant, this show aims to revive 'Japga,' which was the last traditional sound heard outside the four main gates of Seoul, and its golden age. It seeks to remind audiences of the background and origins that enabled today's vocalists to emerge.

The performance is structured into three chapters: 'Sounds that Crossed from Inside to Outside the Gates,' 'Sounds Showcased by Wandering Performers,' and 'Japga as a Popular Song.' These segments will explore the lives of common people intertwined with Japga and the history of traditional sound culture.

Notably, the participation of active young vocalists Kim Min-ji, Jeong Jun-pil (inheritor of Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage Seonsori Santaryeong), and Yoon Se-yeon (recipient of awards from JTBC 'Pungryu Daejang' and '21st Century Korean Music Project') is expected to add significant richness to the traditional Japga stage.

Furthermore, Min Gu-hong Manufacturing, known for collaborations with artists like Hyukoh and Jang Ki-ha, has contributed graphic design to abstract various scenes related to Japga, promising a captivating blend of modern expression and traditional aesthetics.

Nam Gyeong-woo, who is directing and performing, stated, 'We have prepared a performance that explains the history within Japga through consistent storytelling, making it easily understandable and enjoyable for everyone.' He added, 'I want to share the sound culture, imbued with the deep charm and emotion of Japga, with the audience and write a new chapter for it.'

Nam Gyeong-woo is an inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Gyeonggi Folk Song, actively engaging in reinterpreting and creating traditional arts through Gyeonggi sounds, directing, and composing. He consistently introduces new works embodying traditional values, setting new paradigms. For this performance, he takes on both directing and vocal duties, showcasing his deep dedication.