SHOW

‘Korean Sound’ strikes Manila’s cultural chord

Eliana Lacap · Aug 17, 2026, 12:55 AM

Gayageum, a traditional Korean zither with typically 12 to 25 strings, is played by plucking the strings with the fingers or fingertips. — PHOTOGRAPHS BY ELIANA LACAP FOR DAILY TRIBUNE

The Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), presented Korean Sound, a special performance celebrating the timeless beauty of Korean traditional music.

Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines director Kim Meyongjin said the show offered audiences an opportunity to appreciate traditional Korean music while gaining a deeper understanding of Korean culture.

Held at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, the concert featured the rich sounds of Korea through traditional instruments performed by the National Orchestra of Korea. Some instruments mimicked or evoked sounds from nature, including birdsong and the wind, which blended to create an enthralling musical experience.

Among the highlights was Pansori Sugungga, a traditional musical storytelling piece about a battle of wits between a hare and the terrapin Byeoljubu in an underwater palace. Performed by a single singer accompanied by one drum, the piece vividly brought the tale to life.

The show closed with Filipino folk songs “Paru-parong Bukid” and “Sitsiritsit,” performed on traditional Korean instruments.

The cross-cultural finale highlighted how music can bring different traditions together in a shared experience.