Au musée Guimet, le son neuf de Séoul va faire vibrer les murs cet automne

This autumn, the Musée Guimet in Paris continues its vibrant celebration of Korean culture with an innovative lineup of musical performances that challenge conventional boundaries. Marking the ongoing “K-arrément Corée !” year, the museum leverages the 140th anniversary of Franco-Korean diplomatic ties to spotlight the evolving sonic landscape of Seoul’s contemporary music scene.

The museum’s autumn program emphasizes experimental and hybrid sound explorations, presenting a fresh take on Asian arts that extends beyond visual exhibits into live performance. Sophie Paulet, the auditorium’s programmer, describes this initiative as part of a strategic effort to transform the museum into a dynamic hub for Asian performing arts and to attract a diverse, contemporary audience.

Key among the featured artists is Park Jiha, whose performance scheduled for November 15 promises an immersive experience. Park Jiha merges traditional Korean instruments such as the piri (a type of oboe), yanggeum (a hammered dulcimer), and saenghwang (a mouth organ) with modern minimalism and subtle electronic textures. Her work distills ancient sounds into a refined, almost meditative sonic environment, highlighting the continuity and reinvention of Korean musical heritage.

Complementing Park Jiha is the duo Dal:um, who will perform on November 6. They are emblematic of a new wave of musicians who navigate between folk roots and avant-garde experimentation. Their integration of improvisation, Western minimalism, and electronic elements underscores a broader trend in Korean music that embraces hybridity and innovation.

In addition to these contemporary acts, the museum presents projects that reimagine traditional Korean vocal styles. Notably, a concert held on October 1 explored an uncommon dialogue between jeongga, a classical Korean vocal genre, and Gregorian chant, illustrating a cross-cultural musical conversation rarely heard on French stages.

The psychedelic group Chudahye Chagis, performing October 15, injects a radically different energy into the program. Their music reconstructs Korean shamanistic themes through a psychedelic lens, offering a modern reinterpretation of spiritual and ritualistic elements. This performance is one of two French premieres commissioned by the museum, underscoring the institution’s commitment to fostering innovative Korean art forms.

Further expanding the cultural exchange, the museum also plans to host a reinterpretation of a modern romantic Korean play by the National Theater of Korea on November 14. This theatrical presentation will provide a narrative complement to the musical offerings, enriching the audience’s understanding of contemporary Korean artistic expression.

These events collectively reveal a Korea that transcends the global K-pop phenomenon, presenting instead a nuanced panorama of artistic experimentation rooted in ancient traditions yet undeniably forward-looking. Through this program, Musée Guimet invites visitors not only to witness but to experience the dynamic evolution of Korean culture in a multifaceted, contemporary context.

Details about ticketing and specific event formats remain limited, but the series is poised to attract both dedicated followers of Korean culture and newcomers intrigued by the fusion of old and new artistic forms. The Musée Guimet’s autumn season thus reaffirms its role as a critical platform for Asian arts, signaling an exciting expansion into the realm of live performance and contemporary music innovation.