Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater to Offer Free Admission for Outdoor Performance on October 17

Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater is holding the outdoor Gugak performance ‘2026 Donhwamun Moonlit Night’ today, October 17.

2026 Donhwamun Moonlit Night Poster

‘2026 Donhwamun Moonlit Night’ is an outdoor Gugak performance designed to expand opportunities for cultural enjoyment so that citizens can enjoy performances close to their daily lives during Seoul evenings. Citizens can stay comfortably in the Gugak Plaza and spend a relaxing time with Gugak.

This year, through the stages of three teams continuing tradition in their own ways, the event aims to showcase a wide spectrum of Gugak, from the original forms of traditional music to new interpretations and genre combinations. From stages that preserve traditional values to stages that show new possibilities through the meeting of folk songs and Western music, they can all be experienced in one place.

The first stage will be opened by Gaehoju Band. Gaehoju Band takes its name from the pure Korean word ‘Gaehoju,’ which means a tiger cub, and is a team that presents original music combining our folk songs with blues and rockabilly. They are gaining attention as a next-generation Gugak band, having won the Grand Prize at the 20th 21C Korean Music Project with music that crosses the boundaries between tradition and Western music. For this stage, Yoo Ji-san (drums), Yang Jin-su (vocals), Jeong Ui-jin (bass), Yoo Seon-jin (geomungo), Park Ju-hwan (percussion), and Woo Min-sik (electric guitar) will join to deliver the unique music of Gaehoju Band, where Gugak instruments and band sounds harmonize.

The second stage will feature singer Lee Jae-hyeon. Lee Jae-hyeon is a singer who creates his own stage based on solid vocals and delicate expressive power. He served as a 2025 season member of the National Changgeuk Company of Korea and has presented stages encompassing both singing and acting by appearing in various Changgeuk works such as ‘The Merchants of Venice’, ‘Simcheong’, ‘The Tale of Lee Nal-chi’, and ‘Red Cliffs’. In this performance, he will collaborate with drummer Yoo Chang-seon, an apprentice of the National Intangible Heritage Pansori Heungboga, to convey the depth of Pansori.

The final stage will be decorated by Traditional Music Collective Saet. Traditional Music Collective Saet is a young Gugak team with an identity of deeply understanding the roots of traditional music and preserving and inheriting its original forms, much like the name ‘Saet’ which means ‘very thick and clear.’ For this stage, Lee Min-hyeong (percussion), Lee Chan-woo (piri), Byeon Sang-yeop (daegeum), Bae Ho-young (ajaeng), and Chu Hyeon-tak (gayageum), who are all actively working and recognized for their skills in their respective fields, will perform. The five musicians are expected to show the unique beauty and value of traditional music through solid coordination.

‘2026 Donhwamun Moonlit Night’ will take place at the Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater Gugak Plaza from 3:00 PM on October 17, and anyone can watch it with free admission for all seats. Detailed information can be found on the Seoul Namsan and Donhwamun Traditional Theaters website (https://www.sgtt.kr/), and inquiries regarding the performance can be made to the Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater.

Introduction to Culture Bridge Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater

Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater is a specialized Gugak performance venue that opened in 2016 to revive the traditional culture around the Changdeokgung Palace area. The Seoul Metropolitan Government created this performance venue by purchasing the site of a gas station opposite Changdeokgung Palace, and it is currently operated under entrustment by Culture Bridge. The performance venue harmonizes traditional Hanok and modern architectural styles, consisting of an indoor performance hall utilizing natural acoustics and an outdoor Gugak Plaza. Audiences can experience the charm of our traditional music while breathing together with the performers here.

[Press Release] Three colors of our music met under the moonlight, 2026 Donhwamun Moonlit Night.hwp

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization: Culture Bridge Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater

· Category: Cultural Heritage, Music, Culture Bridge Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater

· Distribution: September 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM

Source: Culture Bridge Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater Press Release (NewsWire)

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