National Theater and Jointly Produced Opening Performance 'Simcheong' and Various Programs Prepared

The 'Jeonju World Sound Festival,' the leading figure of traditional Korean pansori festivals, is preparing for new changes and leaps for its 24th edition in 2025. This year's festival, in collaboration with the National Theater, will present the opening performance 'Simcheong,' directed by the world-renowned director Yona Kim. Following last year, the summer festival will run for five days from August 13th to 17th.

The theme of the festival is 'Echoes of Hometown,' symbolizing a focus on traditional sounds along with musical elements from around the world. The opening performance 'Simcheong' is planned to reinterpret the traditional filial daughter image into a symbol of social vulnerability, emphasizing contemporary messages. Anticipation from domestic and international critics and audiences is high.

This year's sound festival will showcase 61 programs including pansori, classical music, popular music, and international performances, totaling 73 shows. Various stages are prepared, including the complete performance of pansori by top domestic masters, 'Youth Pansori Celebration' for young vocalists, the creation audition 'Sound Frontier,' and a special program for the 75th anniversary of Korea-Spain diplomatic relations.

In particular, the Jeonju World Sound Festival has been selected for the recent Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's '2025 Genre Market Hub Support Project,' receiving an annual government subsidy of 450 million won and a maximum of 1.35 billion won over three years. Through this, there are plans to strengthen its role as a platform for the overseas advancement of Korean traditional arts.

Jeong Seok Lee, Director of the Jeonju City Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, expressed, "The sound festival is leaping from being a premium festival in Jeonbuk to a global festival evaluated by people worldwide," and urged everyone in the region to come together and support it.