'My Hometown Where I Once Lived'... Hongnanpa Art Song Festival at Sejong Center on the 20th

'Hongnanpa House,' which operates the nationally registered cultural heritage site 'Hongnanpa House' in Hongpa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, will host the '2026 Hongnanpa Art Song Festival' under the title 'My Hometown Where I Once Lived' at 5 p.m. on September 20 at the Grand Theater of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

'Spring in My Hometown,' which begins with the lyrics 'My hometown where I once lived,' is one of Hong Nanpa’s most famous songs, widely known among Koreans. It is a collaboration of poet Lee Won-soo, who wrote the children’s poem of the same name, and composer Hong Nanpa, who set it to music. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Lee Won-soo's publication of the poem 'Spring in My Hometown.'

This year's festival, supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, will center on the theme of 'hometown' to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 'Spring in My Hometown.' The program will showcase works by renowned composers, spanning generations from senior to young artists—including Park Taejoon, Chae Dongseon, Kim Seongtae, Kim Dongjin, Kim Sun-ae, Geum Suhyeon, Seo Dongseok, Yoon Yongha, Kim Heekap, Lee Soo-in, Shin Guibok, Lee Ansam, Jeong Youngtaek, Han Dol, and Jegal Suyeong.

A special segment is also planned in memory of Choi Youngseop, composer of the art song 'Longing for Mt. Geumgang,' who passed away at the age of 96 on June 29. Artistic director and soprano Lim Chung-hwa will perform Choi Youngseop’s 'Memory' and 'Thousand Years of Longing.' Violinist Hong Jimin, a descendant of Hong Nanpa currently studying at Seoul Arts High School, will perform an orchestral arrangement of 'Spring in My Hometown' by Ahn Seongmin.

The Nanpa Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Yang Seung-yeol, will provide accompaniment. Soprano Lee Hyeji, mezzo-soprano Kim Mikyung, tenors Kim Hyojong and Kim Junghoon, and baritone Song Gichang will present pieces including 'Nostalgia,' 'Hometown,' 'Thinking of My Friend,' 'Barley Field,' 'Longing to Go,' 'Song of Hometown,' 'Child’s Heart,' and 'Deep in My Heart.'

American composer and pianist Ron Branton and his daughter Alex Doyeon Branton will also perform. Alex Doyeon Branton, currently pursuing a doctorate in vocal performance at Indiana University, will sing Hong Nanpa’s 'Crescent Moon by Day' and 'Night at Seongbulsa' accompanied by her father on piano.

Korean traditional musician Ko Young-yeol—who gained recognition on JTBC's 'Phantom Singer'—will make a special appearance, performing 'Bongseonhwa' and 'Arirang Alone' with the orchestra. The Yeoju Boys and Girls Choir, Nanpa Choir, and Hongnanpa Choir will also join the festival. Heo Cheol, head of OperaBank and host of the YouTube channel 'Iron Music,' will provide commentary and serve as emcee.

Prior to the performance, there will be a 'Balsam Dyeing' event, where participants can dye their fingernails with natural flower dye made from balsam cultivated and harvested at Mr. Lee Jonggap’s Gonjiam Farm. The event will take place one hour before the concert at the first and second floor lobbies of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

Jeong Hee-joon, head of the organizing committee for the Hongnanpa Art Song Festival, said, "As a pioneer of modern music, Hong Nanpa's work delivers a deep resonance in the hearts of Koreans through its simple and clear melodies and its precise structure and form," adding, "We will strive to ensure that the Hongnanpa Art Song Festival continues and develops as a representative music festival symbolizing Korea."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.