Youn Sun Nah and Black String return to London for K-Music Festival 2024

The renowned Korean Music Festival – or K-Music – returns to London for its 11th edition and has confirmed the full programme of events, bringing an eclectic and diverse mix of some of Korea’s most important artists to venues across the capital.

The festival opens on 3 October with the National Changgeuk Company's highly anticipated new production of Shakespeare’s Lear, at the Barbican Centre. Changgeuk, a unique traditional Korean opera has been masterfully produced for contemporary audiences by the National Changgeuk Company since its founding in 1962. This premiere of ‘Lear’ is a major of The Bard’s greatest tragedy will mark a significant milestone as their debut performance at this prestigious venue.

This year’s festival also presents an outstanding selection of some of Korea’s best female artists, with everything from jazz to classical music to sonic fusion. To mark her 30 year career as a an international acclaimed jazz singer, Youn Sun Nah presents her 12th album Elles, a tribute to iconic female artists such as Nina Simone to Roberta Flack, via Björk and Edith Piaf. Crossing eras and musical borders she’ll be joined by France’s finest pianist Bojan Z for an intimate concert at Islington’s Union Chapel on 6 October.

Well-known for her exceptional vocal mastery, soprano Hera Hyesang Park will make her K-Music Festival debut with a fresh reinterpretation of traditional Korean songs on 26 October at St John’s Smith Square following her concert at the Edinburgh International Festival this summer. She will be joined by pianist Bretton Brown and tenor David Junghoon Kim to perform songs from her acclaimed album Breathe, along with traditional Korean folk songs.

On 30 October at Kings Place Hall, the legendary group Black String, led by Youn Jeong Heo will premier music from their brand new album (out this autumn) along with music from their acclaimed albums, Mask Dance (2016) and Karma (2019).

To close the festival and in partnership with the EFG London Jazz Festival are two extraordinary Korean bands. First up is No-Noise, a dynamic ensemble led by both Lee Il-woo of the post-rock sensation Jambinai making their London debut on 15 November at the Purcell Room at Southbank Centre. And finally the last event of this year’s programme is Heemoon Lee, the visionary and captivating vocalist of SsingSsing, who dazzled audiences in 2018 with his electrifying performance, also appears to the Southbank with his band, OBANGSINGWA to perform new album, 'SPANGLE’.

Commenting on this year's programme, Jaeyeon Park, Artistic Director of the K-Music Festival said: “We are thrilled to announce that the National Channguek Company of Korea’s production of Lear will open the 2024 K-Music Festival! Shakespeare's classic gets a fresh perspective in this reinterpretation infused with Korea's rich heritage. The celebration continues with soprano Hera Hyesang Park who will present a unique performance that breathes new life into traditional Korean songs and folk music. Fans of the festival can also look forward to exciting new music from returning artists Youn Suh Nah, Black String, and Heemoon Lee. Additionally, Lee Ilwoo of Jambinai will perform at Southbank Centre with No-Noise, a new band formed with the Seoul Metropolitan Traditional Orchestra. We hope that you can join us in celebrating this vibrant cultural event!"

For full details and tickets visit kccuk.org.uk/en/programmes/kmusicfestival2024/