Date Posted: April 8, 2026
Pansori at the Oscars
At the 98th Academy Awards in 2026, KPop Demon Hunters won Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden” becoming the first K-pop number to win a Grammy. Earlier the three voices behind the song, Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, performed the winning song for a live audience. The song began with a pansori-style mantra from the movie, displaying performers dressed in beautiful hanboks (traditional korean clothing) along with movements depicting the story for the opening.
Pansori is a traditional storytelling art from Korea and is performed musically by a singer and drummer duo. It includes, dramatic speech, narrative storytelling, gestures, and expressive singing, representing elite or folk culture. It has also been recognised as part of the UNESCO Intangible Heratige of Humanity.
One of the pansori singers participating in the performance was Lauren Han. Han has mostly worked in musical theater, she has long been facinated by pansori and has great respect for people who perform and learn the art. While performing in Korean Musicals in Koreatown, she picked up fundamentals of traditional Korean dance and vocal styles.
Source:
Honorary Reporters – Lauren Han
Date posted: April 7, 2026
President Emmanuel Macron greets fans in South-Korea
From April 2nd to April 3rd President Emmanuel Macron from France visited South Korea. Their visit marked the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between France and South Korea. The meeting was meant to strengthen cultural partnership. During a speech President Macron greeted everyone in Korean saying “안녕하십니까, 여러분” meaning “hello, everyone”. Later in his speech he addressed President Lee Jae Myung and said ”대통령님, 따뜻한 환대 감사드립니다” meaning “Mr. President, Thank you for your warm hospitality”.
During the meeting President Macron also met some celebrities such as actress Jeon Jong Seo (from Ballerina and La Casa de Papel: Korea), Actress Jun Ji Hyun (from The Legend of the Blue Sea and Kingdom), Actor Noh Sang hyun (from Love my Scent and Pachinko) and the K-pop boyband Stray Kids. A member of Stray Kids, Felix serves as an honorary ambassador for France-South Korea relations and he shook hands with President Macron.
While President Macron was performing his official duty, fans approached him, presented gifts, and asked for pictures. The President posted pictures and videos from his time in South Korea. He posted a picture of himself with President Lee Jae myung. In the caption President Macron wrote “진구들” (friends) and included the song “Friends” of BTS, k-pop boyband. Another picture with the French President and the South-Korean president and their better halves captioned the song “SUZUME” from Song So Hee, a solo artist most known for a more traditional style of singing.
Source: Immanuel Macron – Instagram, Macron Opening Remarks, Korea Joong Ang Daily
Date posted: April 7, 2026
Jacob Collier singing Arirang for Korean audience
The British artist and singer-songwriter Jacob Collier is known for using his audience as a choir. When he performed at the Seoul Jazz Festival recently, he did this as well in South Korea. Collier coached the audience into producing a beautiful harmony.
He thanked the members of the audience for their efforts, and he returned the favour by singing a Korean folk song called Arirang. Arirang expresses sentiments of resilience, separation, love and longing and is regarded as the unofficially “national anthem” of South Korea.
The audience was impressed and joined Collier in singing. Collier later stated that this was his favorite moment of the event.
Source: Jacob Collier – Instagram, Seoul Jazz Festival
Date posted: April 7, 2026
Asian artists at Coachella
Coachella is one of the biggest music events of the year in The United States. It will start this coming weekend (April 10th) and will run through to April 19th. It is the annual Music and Arts Festival, held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
Coachella has hosted many artists from all over the world, including Asia. In 2023 one of the most anticipated headliners was BLACKPINK, a K-pop girlgroup. Since then an increasing number of Asian artists has been performing at Coachella. Such as ATEEZ (2024), LE SSERAFIM (2024) and YOASOBI (2024).
This year’s lineup includes Fuji Kaze (a singer-songwriter from Japan), Taemin (a singer, who is also a member of the K-pop group SHINee), BINI (a Filipino girlgroup) and KATSEYE (a global girl group).
Fashion is also a big part of Coachella, a lot of participants have been wearing traditional outfits. Some of those which are inspired by Asian culture. At Coachella more than just music is being shared, fashion styles and culture are also a big part of the festivities.
Source: Coachella Lineup 2026, Coachella Lineup 2024 -Teen Vouge