The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines is bringing the rich heritage of Korean traditional music to local audiences through Korean Sound, a special performance by the National Orchestra of Korea’s Youth Educational Group.

Established in 1995 under the National Theater of Korea, the National Orchestra of Korea is known for preserving the country’s musical traditions while introducing innovative interpretations for modern audiences. The Manila performances will feature the orchestra’s Youth Educational Group, composed of 11 young musicians selected from the Ministry of Culture’s Young Artist Training Program, alongside a trainee vocalist from the National Changgeuk Company of Korea.

The performers will showcase traditional Korean instruments, including the gayageum, geomungo, piri and daegeum, in a repertoire that ranges from court music to pansori, Korea’s centuries-old tradition of narrative singing.

Among the highlights is The Scene of Catching the Rabbit, a dramatic excerpt from the classic Sugungga, and Together Arirang, a newly commissioned finale that blends Filipino folk melodies with traditional Korean instruments, celebrating the cultural ties between the Philippines and South Korea.