Korean Arts Week Programming Features More than a Dozen Free Events

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) has announced details for Korean Arts Week presented by SK Group, a celebration of Korean cultural traditions as part of Summer for the City.

Featuring more than a dozen free events, Korean Arts Week celebrates the amazing depth and breadth of Korean culture, bringing together the past, present, and future of Korean arts, in collaboration with the Korean Cultural Center New York and the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Film at Lincoln Center, and the New York Asian Film Festival.

The series showcases some of the country’s most distinctive talents with dance performances, a K-Indie Music Night, visual art exhibitions, iconic DJs, a feature program with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, wellness events, family programs and much more!

Highlights of Korean Arts Week include: WAVE art exhibit, a takeover of the digital wall at The Atrium by Seoul-based d’strict; Three K-pop-themed Silent Discos led by epic Korean American DJs; A Musical Theatre Storytime for families hosted by Helen Park, the Tony Award-nominated composer of Broadway’s KPOP; Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre’s One Dance by Sejong Center; and Rockefeller Center will celebrate Korean culture this summer through contemporary and modern art, fashion, music, and gastronomy.

Korean Arts Week begins with a K-pop dance party from BIAS NYC on Wednesday July 19 at 9 pm. Co-founded by Sammy Kim and Julian Tong, the group’s goal is to provide dance music, entertainment, and a safe space for the K-pop fandom to log off the internet. Step into the physical world, creating deeper in-person connections about what compels us and connects us in this world. Join us for a safe, freeing evening integrating club music with K-pop—a night sure to delight!

One Dance (Il-mu) has been described as “a wonderful blend of traditional and contemporary dance that reflects the times we live in.” It’s a modern interpretation of ceremonial dance from traditional Jongmyo Jeryeak (Korean court music), designated as “Intangible Cultural Heritage” by both the Korean government and UNESCO. A performance of “Il-mu,” originally played in a formation of several rows and columns of dancers, is recreated by Korean traditional dance choreographer Hyejin Jung (Artistic Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre) in collaboration with modern dance choreographers Sung Hoon Kim and Jae Duk Kim. A classic yet contemporary reinterpretation of ceremonial Korean traditional dance, the performance features a large formation and picturesque stage that creates a sense of grandeur, harmony, and balance.

Tickets start at $30 and are available online here. Performances will be on July 20, 21, and 22.

Beat the heat and immerse yourself in the beat this summer with a Silent Disco on Thursday July 20 at 9 pm! As a child, New York-based Korean American DJ Peach loved music and sang opera. As an adult, she became an auditor at a public accounting firm until she changed careers in 2019, to become a DJ full-time. With a set list of songs featuring K-pop’s hottest artists and groups, DJ Peach will bring the beats!

On July 21 at 9 pm, bounce to K-pop spun by Gamma Vibes, a New York–based electronic producer, DJ, and vibraphonist from Korea who started learning the piano at five and developed a passion for percussion at fifteen. She became fascinated with playing jazz vibraphone before graduating from Berklee College of Music in 2011. Gamma Vibes returns to Lincoln Center after performances in 2021 and 2022, presented by the Korean Cultural Center. Join us for a night of K-pop infused beats!

Experience the lively and captivating beauty of Korean traditional dance and music in a special Korean Arts Week event perfect for the whole family! On July 22 at 12 pm, KTMDC Dance Company, under the direction of Yusun Kang, will bring this unforgettable cultural experience and will transport you to a world of ancient Korean tradition and modern interpretation. Through elegant costumes, complex footwork, and dynamic rhythms, performers showcase the rich cultural heritage of Korea with their dynamic movements and graceful gestures, leaving a lasting impression on all who attend. Before the show, join us for an interactive, creative Pre-Show Family Workshop led by Lincoln Center Teaching Artists! This event is FREE and General Admission, first-come, first-served. 

More information can be found at SummerForTheCity.org.