The Korean Cultural Centre UK is launching a comprehensive K-Traditional Music Workshop Series that will run every Wednesday from April 30 to June 11, 2025. This special program coincides with the National Science Museum of Korea's first overseas special exhibition commemorating its 80th anniversary, titled "Soundwaves of Science: Exploring the Science of Music."
The workshop series provides London audiences with an exceptional opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty of Korean traditional music and instruments while simultaneously exploring the scientific principles that create their distinctive sounds. Participants will engage directly with Korean aesthetics by discovering how traditional craftsmanship and acoustic science seamlessly blend together in Korea's rich musical heritage.
Director Seunghye Sun emphasized the program's unique significance, explaining that they have prepared a distinctive hands-on workshop that enables participants in the UK to learn Korean traditional instruments and understand Korean aesthetics through scientific exploration. "By connecting tradition with scientific principles, this programme offers a vivid and deeply personal encounter with Korean beauty," Sun stated. She further noted that artistic experiences transcend borders, and when people from different cultural backgrounds directly engage with another culture's art, that experience becomes their own, creating empathy and opening doors to emotional resonance. According to Sun, cultural diplomacy begins with aesthetic experience.
The workshops focus on two iconic Korean instruments: the danso, a traditional bamboo flute, and the gayageum, a 12-string zither. Participants will learn to play both Korean folk songs and popular K-pop melodies, experiencing firsthand how traditional and contemporary Korean music blend to create a dynamic and colorful soundscape. The program includes a special educational segment that introduces the scientific principles behind sound production, enabling participants to explore the physics concepts hidden within musical creation.
Professional instructors will lead all sessions, and the program is specifically designed for complete beginners with no prior musical experience required. The workshop series is accessible to anyone interested in Korean culture, music, or hands-on creative experiences, regardless of their musical background or skill level.
Through this comprehensive workshop series, the Korean Cultural Centre UK aims to further promote the richness and depth of Korean culture throughout the United Kingdom while strengthening cultural exchange and engagement with local audiences. Additional information about the program is available on the Korean Cultural Centre UK's official website.
