Event highlights preservation and contemporary reinterpretation of Korea’s musical heritage
Crown Haetae Confectionery will host the 21st Changsinje Festival from October 10 to 12 at the Grand Theater of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, bringing together traditional Korean music and dance on one stage.
Launched in 2004 under the theme of “creating the new based on the old,” Changsinje is an annual traditional music festival organized by a private company. The event is based on the concept of “Beopgochangsin,” which emphasizes preserving traditional heritage while creating new artistic interpretations.
Now in its 21st year, Changsinje has developed into one of Korea’s largest privately organized traditional music performances, with Crown Haetae continuing its efforts to preserve traditional musical forms while presenting them to contemporary audiences.
This year’s festival will center on Sujecheon, a representative piece of Korean traditional court music. Originating from the Baekje-era song “Jeongeupsa,” Sujecheon evolved through the Goryeo and Joseon periods and became an important part of Korean royal court music.
The performance will open with the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra performing Sujecheon in a four-part arrangement, accompanied by a choir of 100 Crown Haetae employees.
The program will then feature Ilmu, a ceremonial court dance performed to “Jeonpyehuimun” from Jongmyo Jeryeak, followed by Jeongga Gumeum, featuring male and female vocalists.
A newly created dance performance titled “Obangjeongjae” will also make its debut at this year’s festival. The performance brings together three traditional court dances — Cheoyongmu, Ilmu and Chunaengjeon — into a single choreographic sequence.
The program will continue with the samulnori performance “Dongrak” before concluding with a performance of the original Sujecheon by the Yangju Pungryuakhoe, an ensemble consisting of leading traditional music masters.
The structure of the program combines contemporary interpretations of traditional music with an original performance of Sujecheon, highlighting Changsinje’s focus on both preservation and creative development of Korea’s traditional arts.
Young traditional music talents will also take part in this year’s festival.
The “Young Talents Haneumhoe Changsinje Special Performance” will be held at the same venue at 1 p.m. on October 11. Young musicians supported by Crown Haetae will showcase their skills, developed through weekly training sessions at the Crown Haetae Hall at Namsan Gugakdang in Seoul.
Through Changsinje, Crown Haetae has expanded its cultural activities beyond hosting performances to supporting the next generation of traditional Korean music artists.
A Crown Haetae official said, “Thanks to the continued love and interest of our customers, we will once again present the profound resonance of Sujecheon on one of Korea’s largest traditional music stages.”
“We will continue our efforts to preserve and develop the beauty of traditional Korean music so that more people can enjoy it,” the official added.
