Pungmulpae (Traditional Korean Percussion Troupe)

Pungmul is a form of traditional Korean folk music and performance, originally part of the Namsadang Nori (a traditional traveling performance troupe). Today, it is more commonly referred to as nongak (farmers’ music) and is performed during traditional holidays, ceremonies, and festivals as a lively, rhythmic expression of communal energy.

Festivals serve as a refreshing tonic amid the grind of daily life, injecting vitality and color into our routines. More than just celebrations, festivals are gatherings—spaces where strangers come together to share joy and express individuality, while simultaneously finding a common rhythm that unites them.

The Pungmulpae lanterns reflect a global flash-mob fashion phenomenon that draws inspiration from traditional Korean culture. This style modernizes Korean traditional dress, combining white trousers (symbolizing the "white-clad people" of Korea) with stylish blue shirts and hats, creating a uniquely vibrant look.

At large festivals around the world, young people have embraced pungmul-inspired fashion, donning modernized nongak outfits and even using pungmul performances as flash mobs—sometimes purely festive, and other times as a form of political expression.

The free-spirited movements, bold fashion statements, and dynamic dance gestures of the pungmulpae continue to evolve and spread—perhaps even to the creative cosmos of the “Geureumtori Galaxy Cluster”, where artistic boundaries expand beyond the Earth itself.

Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

This Hanji lantern, created by Geurimtory Hanji Workshop , is inspired by a beloved traditional Korean folktale. The story chosen for this piece is “The Red Bean Porridge Granny and the Tiger” —a favorite among children. Long ago, deep in the mountains,there live d an old woman who cultivated a red bean field. She was so skilled at making delicious red bean porridge that people called her Red Bean Porridge Granny . One peaceful day, a massive tiger appeared and threatened to eat her. The granny calmly pleaded, “It’s okay if you eat me, but if I die, who will make this delicious porridge for you?” She managed to persuade the tiger to return in the winter, when the first snow falls, so he could enjoy the porridge before eating her. With no one to turn to, the granny wept in despair. But to her surprise, the objects around her— a wooden frame for carrying loads, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a soft-shelled turtle —came to life, listened to her story, and...

Sungnyemun

Sungnyemun, also known as Namdaemun, was the main gate of the fortress wall that surrounded Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty. Construction began in the 4th year of King Taejo’s reign (1395) and was completed in 1398, the 7th year of his reign. Designated as National Treasure No. 1, it was the oldest wooden building remaining in Seoul. However, it was destroyed by fire in 2008 and was later restored on July 3, 2013. In 2009, it was recreated as a Hanji lantern and exhibited at the Seoul Lantern Festival . It is unlikely that Sungnyemun ever existed as a real architectural structure. Although many ancient documents reference Sungnyemun, the architecture of the lantern version of Sungnyemun defies construction logic. The structure is built with massive stones, each seemingly carved and stacked with ruler-like precision, leaving no room for even a sesame leaf between the joints. Such precision surpasses even today’s scientific capabilities. Because of this, some speculate that Sungnyemun w...

Traditional Hanji Lantern Inspired by a Korean Folktale - Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger

This year’s lantern is a traditional Hanji lantern inspired by one of the most beloved Korean folktales among children: Granny Red Bean Porridge and the Tiger . Once upon a time, deep in the mountains, there lived an old woman who cultivated red beans. She was so skilled at making red bean porridge that people called her “Granny Red Bean Porridge.” One peaceful day, a tiger the size of a house suddenly appeared and threatened to eat her. Granny pleaded, “I don’t mind dying, but if I do, who will make this delicious porridge? Come back in the snowy winter. You can enjoy the porridge then—and eat me if you still want to.” She barely managed to persuade the tiger to leave. Left with no one to turn to, the old woman wept alone. Just then, the items in her home—her carrying frame, a straw mat, an awl, some dung, an egg, and even a softshell turtle—gathered around and told her not to worry. When winter came and the tiger returned on the day of the winter solstice, Granny and her loyal “fri...

Search This Blog