Peace and Boundaries Transcended in Four Metal Strings… Ryang Sung-hee's Sohaegeun Recital 'Connecting and Existing'

A stage that breaks down boundaries between South and North, and between Korea and the rest of the world through music is welcoming audiences. Gyeonggi Arts Center (President Kim Sang-hoe) will host a sohaegeun peace concert 'Connecting and Existing' by Ryang Sung-hee on October 13 next month at 7:30 p.m. at the small theater.

With the subtitle 'From a Border Region to a Peace Region,' this performance is an occasion where Ryang Sung-hee, a third-generation Korean-Japanese performer, presents a stage encompassing North Korean opera and instrumental music through the sohaegeun, an improved instrument from North Korea, to Western classics. The event is sponsored by Gyeonggi Province and organized by Hana Art Company.

'North Korean Violin' – The Enchanting Melody of the Sohaegeun

The sohaegeun is a representative improved instrument of North Korea that features four metal strings instead of two silk strings of the traditional haegeum, and is played with the bow placed on top of the strings rather than between them. It is characterized by adding the rich expressiveness of the violin to the unique tone color of the traditional haegeum, creating elegant and poignant emotions.

The Musical World of Ryang Sung-hee, a Performer Who Transcended Borders and Adversities

Sohaegeun performer Ryang Sung-hee, who takes the stage, is a third-generation Korean-Japanese born in Okayama, Japan. After encountering music at Osaka Korean School, she went through the Pyongyang Correspondence Education Program and graduated from Kim Won-gyun-named Pyongyang School of Music. She served as concertmaster of the Kumgangsan Opera Company's National Orchestra, the only state-run overseas arts company of North Korea, and received instruction from a master of the sohaegeun.

In particular, she won the top prize in the ethnic string instrument category of the 2.16 Art Prize, a major artist competition in North Korea in 2016, and was recognized as the current greatest technician. She boasts an illustrious stage career including performances at the Pyongyang Grand Theater celebrating Kwangmyong Star Day, collaborations with the Pibada Opera Company Orchestra and the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra.

Her personal life trajectory also provides profound resonance. As a bereaved family member of victims of the Jeju April 3rd Incident, she drew considerable attention by performing as an invited performer at the Jeju April 3rd Memorial Service hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety in April. Since her debut on the Korean stage last year, she has continued efforts to soothe historical wounds and convey messages of peace through music.

From North Korean Opera to Western Classics, and World Premieres

This performance is divided into four parts, showcasing a diverse musical spectrum.

In Part 1 (Northern Lyricism), audiences will hear the poignant melodies 'Do Not Cry, Eulnam' and 'The Hour of Parting Approaches' from North Korean operas, along with 'Nostalgia Song' laden with the sorrow of longing for home.

In Part 2 (Embracing Western Music), Fauré's 'After a Dream' and Brahms' 'Hungarian Dance No. 5' are reinterpreted through the sohaegeun's distinctive tone color, demonstrating the instrument's infinite expandability.

In the following Part 3 (The Essence of North Korean Instrumental Music), audiences will experience the cheerful and ornate techniques characteristic of North Korean instrumental music through 'My Beloved Flower,' 'Hoiyang Nilliri,' and 'Finch.'

In the final Part 4 (Remembering History), the world premiere of 'The Hill You Ascend,' a dedication piece for Pastor Moon Ik-hwan, will be presented on the sohaegeun, and 'Lacrimae (Tears),' a memorial piece for the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident, will convey messages of healing and peace through art.

Perfect Synergy Between Pianist Lee Yoo-jung and Commentator Lee Chul-joo

Accomplished artists also contribute their talents to enhance the stage's completeness. Pianist Lee Yoo-jung, who earned a doctorate in performance from the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory of Music, will accompany the sohaegeun while also presenting the Korean domestic premiere of North Korean piano solo pieces 'Sparks Flying at the Workplace' and 'North Korean Dance,' showcasing the essence of North Korean pianism.

Additionally, cultural planner Lee Chul-joo, who has broadened the path of inter-Korean artistic exchange beginning with the 2000 Pyongyang International Music Festival, will serve as commentator. He will kindly explain the theoretical background and artistic world of North Korea's 'Our Style Classical Music (Choson Classic),' which has been refined since the 1950s, at the audience's level of understanding.

An official from Gyeonggi Arts Center stated, "This is a precious occasion to broaden mutual understanding through music that has been passed down through different histories and regions," and added, "As part of our peace and reunification campaign, we have set the admission price at 10,000 won across all seats to lower barriers to entry."

The recommended viewing age is 12 and above, and reservations are available through the Gyeonggi Arts Center website.

○ Performance Information

Title: Ryang Sung-hee Sohaegeun Peace Concert 'Connecting and Existing'

Subtitle: From a Border Region to a Peace Region

Date and Time: October 13, 2026 (Tuesday) 19:30

Venue: Gyeonggi Arts Center Small Theater

Performers: Ryang Sung-hee (sohaegeun), Lee Yoo-jung (piano), Lee Chul-joo (commentary)

Viewing Age: 12 and above (born in 2014 or earlier)

Host: Gyeonggi Arts Center Foundation

Organizer: Hana Art Company

Sponsor: Gyeonggi Province

<Ryang Sung-hee Sohaegeun Recital> Performer Profiles

1) Ryang Sung-hee: Sohaegeun

• Born in Okayama (born 1988), Korean-Japanese resident in Tokyo

• Hometown: Jeju (bereaved family member of a victim of the Jeju April 3rd Incident)

• Graduated from Ikuno Korean Elementary School after enrolling at Okayama Korean Elementary School

• Graduated from Higashi-Osaka Korean Middle School and Osaka Korean High School (ethnic instrumental music club)

• Graduated from Kim Won-gyun-named Pyongyang School of Music through the Pyongyang Correspondence Education Program

• Served as concertmaster of the Kumgangsan Opera Company's National Orchestra, the only state-run overseas arts company of North Korea (received instruction from "Shin Ryul," the foremost master of sohaegeun, during this period)

• Performance appearances from 2013 onwards at Pyongyang Grand Theater celebrating Kwangmyong Star Day, April Spring International Friendship Arts Festival, and others (including collaboration with the Pibada Opera Company Orchestra)

• Hosted Tokyo homecoming performance in 2017 commemorating the 2.16 Art Prize Award

• Collaboration with Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra, among others

• 2003: Gold medal in Korean ethnic instrumental solo 'Poran Peak' at the All-Korea Students Central Arts Competition

• 2004: Gold medal in Korean ethnic instrumental ensemble 'Finch' at the All-Korea Students Central Arts Competition

• 2006: Gold medal in Korean ethnic instrumental solo 'My Beloved Flower' at the All-Korea Students Central Arts Competition

• 2016: Top prize in the ethnic string instrument category of the 22nd Artists National Competition <2.16 Art Prize>

• 2018: Silver medal with sohaegeun solo 'Hoiyang Nilliri' at the Pyongyang April Spring International Friendship Arts Festival Competition

• December 21, 2024: Released digital album <Love of Four Strings> (recorded in Pyongyang)

• August 13, 2025: Released digital album <Flowers Blooming> (recorded in Seoul)

• November 25-26, 2025: Hosted sohaegeun recital <Flowers Blooming> by invitation from Tomato Classic TV

• April 3, 2026: Invited performance at the Jeju April 3rd Memorial Service (hosted by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety)

• September 13, 2026: Special performance at the World Ecumenical Peace Convention

• October 24, 2026: Invited performance at the Late Spring Unification House Garden Concert

• December 19 and 26, 2026: Invited duo performance with Naruhiko Kawaguchi of Fortepiano (2nd place without first place winner in 2018 Early Music Chopin Competition)

2) Lee Yoo-jung: Piano

After graduating from Yewon School and winning first place at the Spring Autumn Piano Music Competition and first place at the Monthly Music Competition during her time at Seoul Arts High School, showing outstanding talent from an early age, she studied abroad in Russia during her high school years, studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky State Conservatory of Music, and earned a doctorate in performance (Aspirant).

She has held solo recitals at Boston Keiter Hall, Tashkent State Conservatory Grand Hall, and Sofia National Academy of Music Grand Hall, and received favorable reviews from local media for her charismatic performances at invitation concerts of the Azerbaijan State Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. She receives acclaim at numerous distinguished concerts both domestically and internationally for her elegant and refined performances that are well-versed in Russian pianism while not losing contemporary sensibilities.

Served as instructor at Jeonnam National University, Seoul Theological University, Chungju National University, Korean National University of Education, Sunhwa High School of Arts, and Kaywon High School of Arts.

3) Lee Chul-joo: Commentary

• Cultural planner and specialist in inter-Korean artistic exchange

• Beginning with the <Pyongyang International Music Festival> in 2000, organized <Soar>, an internal Korean performance of the Kumgangsan Opera Company in 2006

• 2007 <Korean Dance 50 Years – Master Dancers of the North>, 2013 Cheorwon DMZ <International Peace Music Concert> planning

• Production, 2017 <30th Anniversary of the June 10 Democratic Uprising Commemoration> general director, 2018 National Gugak Center Sakhalin

• <Inter-Korean Joint Music Concert> planning, <Unification New Year's Music Concert_ Hana Concert (2018-2020)> featuring public performances of North Korean classics, <2020 Jeju Peace Music Concert> and numerous other performances planning and production on themes of unification and peace.

• Released first domestic <Heat Wave>, <Let's Go Together with Song of Joy> and 10 other Choson (North) records.

"Korean Peninsula Culture Forum" (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), "Humanities on the Library Road," and others with numerous presentations and lectures.

• Published <Reading Choson (North) through Art>, <Different yet Same Stories of Northern Art (co-authored)>.