The Gwangju Biennale Foundation (Director Park Yang-woo), the National Chorus of Korea (Director & Artistic Director Yoon Eui-joong) and the Asia Culture Center (President Lee Kang-hyun) present a choral epic <Hunminjeongeum> as an opening ceremonial performance for the successful hosting of the 14th Gwangju Biennale.
 
The National Chorus of Korea planned a program to present a new Korean creative cantata with <Hunminjeongeum>, a document describing an entirely new and native script for the Korean language, to the audience and to raise awareness of Korea’s beautiful traditional culture and history through chorus across the world.
 
Consisting of three parts, the play leads overall story, focusing on the background behind how Hangul, the Korean alphabet system, was created and how the creation of Hangul was announced to everyone. In particular, the play will deliver a greater impression to the audience through its musical interpretation of King Sejong's love for his subjects through the creation of Hangul.
 
<Hunminjeongeum> was composed and produced with reference to various historical records including <The Veritable Records of King Sejong> and <Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon>. The lyrics and musical materials were taken from <Yongbieocheonga>, the first work written in Hangeul, <Worin cheongangjigok>, Jongmyo Jeryeak, Daechwita, and <Yeominrak> and were rearranged in accordance with the modern musical trends. The life of the people in the early Joseon Dynasty period, the Buddhist culture immersed in their life, and the exotic colors of foreign cultures that had influenced the creation of Hangul are also included in the play that unravels various historical narratives in an exciting way.

Jung Hoon, Han Sol-eep, Lim Won-sik, Jeon Gye-yeol, Han Choong-eun, Lee Yoo-rah and Lee Dong-hyeon

The National Chorus of Korea, the country’s first professional chorus and its leading choral organization, was founded in 1973 with the main objective of pursuing the professional and artistic aspects of choral singing.

In 2000, the National Chorus of Korea became an independent art organization under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and restarted as an incorporated foundation. Currently, the chorus performs five subscription concerts and over sixty performances annually, including project concerts, provincial concerts, overseas concerts, guest appearances, and official events.

The National Chorus of Korea has introduced an expansive repertoire to Korean audiences. The chorus has premiered a wealth of well-known choral works by famous composers such as Handel, Bach, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Brahms, and Carl Orff. Moreover, the chorus is deeply committed to the development of choral music in Korea and expanding its global popularization. Their tasks involve development and dissemination of Korean creative choral works, researching the way to express distinct vocal and musical styles portraying many of the special characteristics of Korean culture, and the formulation of methods of interpreting a variety of styles of music.

In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2023, the National Chorus of Korea under the leadership of reappointed Director & Artistic Director Yoon Eui-joong (11th director) is contributing to expanding the base of choral music through various special programs such as the K-Chorus Classic Series and the Creative Choir Collection.