SOAS (CKS) Centre of Korean Studies

SOAS has received a transformative endowment of £2 million from the Korea Foundation to establish a Chair in Korean Studies. This landmark gift marks a pivotal moment for Korean Studies in the UK and Europe. The Chair will shape the future of Korean Studies at SOAS and beyond, driving innovation in research and teaching in this key field.

Korea Foundation’s £2m endowed gift to advance Korean Studies SOAS has received a transformative endowment to establish a Chair in Korean Studies. The new post will drive forward innovation in research and teaching in this key field.

Legendary composer and multi-instrumentalist Won Il returns to K-Music Festival with Dionysus Robot, a wild ritual paying homage to media artist Nam June Paik. From pioneering work with the National Orchestra of Korea to directing JAMBINAI’s 2018 Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony performance, Won Il continues to push the boundaries of contemporary Korean music. First shown at the Tongyeong International Music Festival (2022) and performed across seven European countries (2022–2023), Dionysus Robot fuses shamanic sound, media art, and orchestral experimentation — a contemporary gut (ritual) where the sacred meets the synthetic. Don’t miss this groundbreaking immersive experience. 📍 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank 📅 14 Nov 2025, 7:30 pm 🎟️ Book tickets →https://tinyurl.com/3sze6nkn #KCCUK #Serious #SouthbankCentre #QueenElizabethHall #WonIl #MediaArt #KoreanShamanism #ContemporaryRitual #ExperimentalPerformance #KMusicFestival #Trailer

🎶🎧 Check out the official K-Music Festival 2024 playlist! (Spotify and Soundcloud). Featuring songs from this year’s incredible line-up, including artists like Youn Sun Nah, Hera Hyesang Park, Black String, SMTO No-Noise, and Heemoon Lee! 🇰🇷✨ Dive into the sounds of some of Korea's finest artists. 🎶🇰🇷 Check out the links below!

🎧Spotify Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/KMusicFest2024Spotify
🎧Soundcloud Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/KMusicFest2024Soundcloud
🎟️ Tickets: https://serious.org.uk/k-music-2024
ℹ️ For more details on the festival: https://tinyurl.com/KMusicFestival

“London’s K-Music Festival brings traditional Korean sounds with a contemporary twist”

🎉 Featured in the Financial Times today! Discover the vibrant mix of traditional and modern Korean music at the K-Music Festival 2024, as highlighted by the FT. 🌟

It's D-1 until the K-Music Festival 2024 kicks off with Lear by the National Changgeuk Company of Korea at the Barbican—don't miss this unique performance! Secure your tickets now! 🎭 🎶

2024 K-music Festival presented by
LEAR National Changgeuk Company of Korea

📅 Date: 3 - 6 OCT 2024
📍Location: The Barbican Theatre
🎟️ Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/LearBarbican
ℹ️ For more details on the festival please visit: https://tinyurl.com/KMusicFestival

Read Financial Times K-Music Festival 2024 :
https://www.ft.com/content/844e2ac5-76a6-4697-b11f-3ee98e8a4434

'Sleep: a taut Korean thriller that leans into shamanistic and folkloric tradition' - By Hyunseon Lee (SOAS)

Sleep: a taut Korean thriller that leans into shamanistic and folkloric tradition Hyun-su’s sleepwalking is ruining his marriage but it might take more than a few pills to get it under control.

On 24 & 25 May, South Korean theatre maker and composer Jaha Koo will be bringing his newest work Haribo Kimchi to the Southbank Centre.

In a South Korean snack bar, four lost souls take us on a journey through the history of South Korea through the familiar, startling and sacred language of food. Theatre maker and composer Jaha Koo combines music, video and robotic performers in an exceptional performance that plays with all the senses.

Check it out!

https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/performance-dance/jaha-koo-haribo-kimchi

✨𝗔 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗶 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂✨ 🗓 November 10th, 7:30 pm⁠ 📍 Southbank Centre Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the K-Music Festival with an epic double-bill featuring two legendary artists' teams, LEENALCHI and JAMBINAI. Witness the fusion of tradition and innovation as the traditional yet contemporary LEENALCHI 이날치teams up with the innovative JAMBINAI 잠비나이. The contrast between these remarkable artists adds an exciting dimension to the show. Tickets are selling rapidly, so don't miss out – grab yours now! shorturl.at/bmAO3