The Lives of Nameless Vocalists on Stage... Nam Kyungwoo's 'Nam Amugae Olsida'

by Kim Heeyun

Published 21 Jul.2026 10:29(KST)

National Intangible Heritage Center’s "Isuja-deon" Debut Performance
Free Admission on August 1
Witty Banter and All 12 Gasa on One Stage

Nam Kyungwoo, a master of Gyeonggi Minyo, a National Intangible Heritage, will present a creative performance titled "Gyeonggi Minyo-haneun 'Nam' Amugae Olsida," which reinterprets the lives of nameless traditional vocalists from a contemporary perspective. This is the opening performance of "Isuja-deon," a new program at the National Intangible Heritage Center this year.

A scene of Nam Kyungwoo, a master of the National Intangible Heritage Gyeonggi folk songs, performing. Nam Kyungwoo's Masterpiece Performance will be held on August 1 at Eolssoomaru Small Theater, National Intangible Heritage Center in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do. National Heritage Administration

The National Intangible Heritage Center, under the National Heritage Administration, announced on July 21 that it will host Nam Kyungwoo’s creative performance at 4:00 p.m. on August 1 at the Eolssoomaru Small Theater in Jeonju, Jeonbuk. The performance serves as the opening event for the "2026 Isuja-deon" program, which supports creative works and productions by recipients of National Intangible Heritage certifications.

"Isuja-deon," with the theme "We Inherit, We Create," is a project supporting the new creative works of National Intangible Heritage masters. A total of six works selected this year will be staged for audiences in succession from August to October.

Nam Kyungwoo’s performance connects tradition and the present by adding storytelling and stage direction to the original form of Gyeonggi Minyo. The title "Nam Amugae" encompasses the meaning of "nam" as a male vocalist (男), the family name "Nam" (南), and all the countless "Amugae" (nameless people) who have carried on tradition without recognition.

On stage, elements such as the 12 Gasa, 12 Japga, Gyeonggi Minyo, and folk songs from various regions will be woven together into a single narrative, augmented with witty banter to draw empathy from the audience. Rather than simply replicating Gyeonggi Minyo, Nam Kyungwoo expresses the concerns of contemporary masters and the lives of unnamed traditional artists through a new theatrical language.

Nam Kyungwoo received the Grand Prize, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, at the 28th National Gyeong-Seodo Sori Contest. He has also organized and directed projects such as the Gomyung Sori Project and music performances at the Leeum Museum of Art, establishing himself as a young Gyeonggi Minyo master who bridges tradition and modernity.