Korea to celebrate 1st Gugak Day on June 5

People enjoy a traditional Korean music performance, also known as gugak, at Changdeok Palace in Seoul, April 8. Yonhap

Starting this year, Korea will officially celebrate Gugak Day on June 5, marking a new annual occasion to honor and promote the country’s traditional music and dance.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the celebration will feature a wide range of events in Seoul and across the country.

"Gugak," or traditional Korean music, also encompasses various forms of traditional dance. The official designation of Gugak Day was made possible by the Gugak Promotion Act, which was enacted last year. The law mandates the establishment of a day to recognize and promote the genre.

“Gugak has long been promoted as part of Korea’s cultural heritage,” a ministry official told The Korea Times. “But with the Gugak Promotion Act in place, the genre will now have better access to financial and human resources.”

Unlike K-pop, Korea’s traditional music remains relatively unknown globally and relies heavily on public sector support for production and promotion.

“From my experience overseas, Gugak has virtually no recognition outside of Korea. This new law could change that,” the official added.

June 5 was selected for Gugak Day because it marks the date when "Yeominrak" — a 1392-1910 Joseon-era court music meaning "music enjoyed together with the people" — was first recorded in "The Veritable Records of King Sejong." The day symbolizes the spirit of sharing traditional Korean music, dance and performances as a national cultural legacy.

Among the key events is the world premiere reenactment of “Sejongjo Hoeryeyeon,” a performance of court music and dance that once accompanied biannual banquets hosted by King Sejong. The piece will be performed by the National Gugak Center at Geunjeong Hall in Gyeongbok Palace, Seoul, Saturday and Sunday. The open-air performance is free and accessible to all visitors.

Also scheduled is a presentation of the Jindo Gut, a Korean shamanistic ritual originating from Jindo Island in South Jeolla Province. This performance will take place Friday at Gwanghwamun Plaza and is also open to the public.

Contemporary gugak groups GUIIM, Trigger, ADG7 and traditional singer Lee Hee-moon will also perform at Gwanghwamun Plaza on Saturday and Sunday.

Outside the capital, the Jindo National Gugak Center will host four performances on Thursday, along with meditation sessions on June 14 as part of the Gugak Day celebration. In Busan, the Busan National Gugak Center will offer a series of performances from Thursday to Saturday.

A full list of events and programs is available on the National Gugak Center’s official website.