From National Gugak High School students to a special stage by Kim Yeong-im, traditional culture brings Gaepogol together
The Gangnam-gu Council joined a neighborhood festival celebrating traditional Korean music Wednesday, sharing the value of traditional culture and connecting with local residents.
The council, led by Speaker Lee Jae-jin, attended the 13th Gaepogol Eoulim Gugak Hanmadang festival Wednesday afternoon around the Gaepo 4-dong National Gugak High School intersection and Dalter Park, where members enjoyed a lively program of gugak, or traditional Korean music, alongside residents.
Launched in 2013, the festival has grown into one of Gangnam's signature traditional cultural events, using gugak as a vehicle for community harmony. The National Gugak High School, located in Gaepo 4-dong, has been a driving force each year, contributing high-caliber performances that help sustain the neighborhood's cultural identity.
Council members in attendance included Lee In-seon, chair of the Administrative Safety Committee, Song Yeong-gwang, chair of the Economy and Urban Committee, and members Bok Jin-gyeong, Lee Dong-ho, Park Dae-yong, Hwang Tae-hyeon and No Mi-jin. Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi, city council members and other guests also attended, while residents from Gaepo 4-dong and across Gangnam-gu filled the area around the high school intersection and Dalter Park.
The festival opened with a chwita percussion band marching through Gaepo 4-dong to build excitement. After the band arrived at the main stage in front of the high school, students performed a celebratory set followed by the Gangnam Gugak Orchestra. A special stage by gugak performer Kim Yeong-im brought the atmosphere to a peak.
Beyond the performances, hands-on programs drew strong interest from residents. Booths offered traditional instrument demonstrations and hanbok dress-up experiences, while food stalls run by 10 local restaurants and Gaepo 4-dong residents added to the festive mood.
Council members representing Gaepo 4-dong delivered remarks emphasizing community harmony and the importance of preserving traditional culture.
Lee Dong-ho said he hoped the gathering would be "a joyful festival where neighbors can relax, laugh and enjoy themselves — like sharing a cup of makgeolli together."
Park Dae-yong said he would "take the lead in legislative activities that more firmly build and support our precious cultural assets."
Hwang Tae-hyeon said he would work to ensure "residents can encounter cultural events more often and closer to their daily lives," pledging to be "a steadfast partner in improving quality of life."
The festival combined traditional gugak performances with participatory programs to highlight the neighborhood's cultural character and strengthen ties among residents. Organizers hope that developing the area's unique cultural heritage into a community celebration will serve as a foundation for a more cohesive local community.
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