The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK) is continuing its commitment to supporting emerging Korean artists through its New Talents program, which will run from September through November 2025. Under the direction of Seunghye Sun, the cultural center aims to provide a platform for the next generation of Korean artists to showcase their work to UK audiences.
Director Seunghye Sun emphasized the program's importance in fostering cultural exchange and artistic development. "Providing a platform for the next generation of artists is about opening the future of Korean culture," Sun stated. "We hope that the New Talents project will encourage young artists in their creative challenges and open new horizons on the UK stage."
The autumn season will feature a diverse range of performances and workshops, including collaborations with the prestigious Royal College of Music (RCM). The program encompasses various artistic disciplines, from visual arts to traditional and contemporary music, highlighting the breadth of Korean cultural expression.
The series begins on September 4, 2025, with a canvas bag workshop led by contemporary artist Inhye Song. This interactive session is designed to help participants visually express personal memories, connections with their surroundings, and emotional ties to nature, providing a hands-on introduction to Korean contemporary art practices.
On September 25, the program will present a musical collaboration with the Royal College of Music. Violinist Esther Park and cellist Wallis Power will perform a recital titled "Interplay – A Dialogue in Strings." This performance will explore musical collaboration, identity, and cultural dialogue, demonstrating how Korean and Western musical traditions can interact and evolve together.
October 3 will feature gayageum player Seoyoung Park, who will highlight the connections between Korean and British musical traditions. Her program will include traditional Korean pieces such as Choi Ok-sam's Short Sanjo and Hwang Byung-ki's Chimhyangmu, alongside newly composed works for the gayageum created by British composers, showcasing the instrument's versatility and cross-cultural appeal.
The series concludes on October 23 with pianist Hwanhee Kim presenting a recital under the theme "Korean Sentiments in Piano Music: A Reappraisal of Kim Kook-jin's Works." This concert will spotlight Korean identity in composer Kim Kook-jin's piano compositions and examine their interaction with Western classical traditions, providing insight into how Korean composers have engaged with and transformed classical forms.
Through the New Talents series, KCCUK aims to continually introduce emerging Korean artists to UK audiences while providing valuable opportunities for young artists to develop their careers and expand their reach. The program represents part of the center's broader mission to promote Korean culture and foster international artistic exchange. Additional information about the program and upcoming events is available on the official KCCUK website at www.kccuk.org.uk.
