Pyeongchang Youth Nongak Troupe participates as representative of Gangwon Youth Division at Korean Folk Arts Festival

“It’s much more fun to run with friends and channel your energy into a musical instrument than to play with a small cell phone.”

Pyeongchang teenagers who are familiar with digital devices will perform national folk arts with gongs, janggu, and drums.

The main characters are 43 members of the youth department of the Pyeongchang Dunjeonpyeong Nongak Preservation Society.

They will represent Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province in the youth division of the 67th Korean Folk Arts Festival, which opens in Pyeongchang on the 18th.

Students of various ages, from the youngest in the second year of elementary school to the first year of high school, formed a team.

After first encountering Nongak in a cultural arts experience class, most of them fell in love with playing it with their friends and continued practicing it.

Jeon Eun-byeol (1st year of Yongjeon Middle School), who was in charge of the drum, said that the charm of Nongak was the joy of many people playing together and expressing energy through musical instruments.

Ms. Jeon said, “When I finish practicing and hear praise, I become passionate about wanting to come in first place.”

Jeon Seo-yeon (1st year at Jinbu Middle School), who plays janggu, once gave up a family gathering to participate in practice.

Yang Jeon said, “The joy of playing together with friends is much greater than I thought.”

The team's youngest member, Park Chae-won (2nd year at Jangpyeong Elementary School), joined Mudong last July.

It was when I went to the library and accidentally heard the sound of nongak that I was drawn to the practice range and found the opportunity.

Ms. Park said, “The most fun is playing samulnori with my sisters and brothers,” and recommended nongak to her peers.

Kim Ye-jun (Yongjeon Middle School, 1st year), who has been in charge of Sangsoe for 5 years, plays a central role in the team, leading his younger siblings and older brothers and sisters.

Kim expressed his determination, saying, “I want to show everyone that they don’t make mistakes and don’t give up until the end.”

The members are of different ages and play different instruments, but they have one goal.

As I stand on stage representing Pyeongchang and Gangwon, I will show the melody and harmony that I have achieved so far without regret.

Chairman Go Wan-jae, a holder of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province's intangible cultural heritage Pyeongchang Dunjeonpyeong Nongak, also has high hopes for the youth's passion.

Chairman Go said on the 13th, “Even at a young age, children are quickly learning samul instruments, sogo, beopgo, and mudong, and are practicing with as much passion as adults.”

The 67th Korean Folk Arts Festival will be held at Jinbu-myeon Sports Park in Pyeongchang-gun from the 18th to the 20th.

Representative teams from 21 cities and provinces across the country, including the Pyeongchang Dunjeonpyeong Nongak Youth Club, will participate and showcase regional folk arts.