2nd Mapo Mutual Growth Concert set for Tuesday

The 2nd Mapo Mutual Growth Concert, a cultural arts event aimed at bringing comfort and hope to small business owners, will be held at Art Hall MAC of the Mapo Arts Center at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Selected for the second consecutive year as a Seoul Metropolitan Government-supported private festival project, the concert was organized to encourage small business owners struggling amid an economic downturn and sluggish consumer spending, while giving local residents access to cultural and artistic performances.

Held under the theme of "a community mutual growth project to boost small business owners through cultural arts performances," the event will feature artists spanning a wide range of genres — children's dance and song, classical music, jazz, trot music, rock and lifestyle culture performances.

The program opens with a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Dance group Chumdamnudan and Soul Friends will kick off the evening with lively children's dance and song performances, setting a bright and energetic tone for the venue.

Soprano Lee Mun-gyeong will then take the stage, showcasing her rich voice and expressive artistry. Her full-bodied melodies are expected to offer warm consolation to small business owners and local residents going through difficult times.

A concert bridging classical, jazz and rock

Jazz ensemble "Jazz Pianist Jo Su-im and," led by jazz pianist Jo Su-im, will also perform. Joining her are vibraphonist Baek Jin-u, vocalist Kim Hana, acoustic bassist Heo Jin-ho and drummer Seo Yong-gyu, together delivering a rich and sophisticated jazz sound. The group plans to present a polished reinterpretation of popular Korean songs rooted in traditional jazz, offering the free-spirited sensibility and lush ensemble sound that define the genre.

Trot diva Shin Seong-eun will bring an upbeat, audience-driven set to the stage. Her bright energy and powerful vocals are expected to send an encouraging message to small business owners and lift the excitement of the evening.

The highlight of the concert is a special performance by Hong Seo-beom, a "romantic rock icon" of the generation that came of age in the 1970s and '80s. Hong debuted in 1980 as vocalist and guitarist of the group Okson 80, going on to release a string of hit songs including "Bulnoriya" and earning enduring public affection.

Active across multiple fields as a singer, singer-songwriter and broadcaster, Hong is expected to connect with the audience through his trademark lively stage presence and passionate live performances, delivering strong support to small business owners.

The Beka Dance Team of Mapo-gu will close out the evening. The team, which serves as a health ambassador for local residents, will present a dynamic dance performance open to all, sharing vitality and a sense of well-being with the audience.

The concert carries special significance in bringing together popular singers, professional artists and local arts organizations on a single stage — using culture and the arts as a bridge for small business owners and the broader community to encourage and stand in solidarity with one another. The cross-generational, multi-genre program is expected to bring new energy to the local community.

"We hope that through these cultural and arts performances, warmth and comfort will reach small business owners who have long been struggling under the economic downturn," the organizers said. "We also hope local residents will enjoy the performances together and find new vitality and hope in their daily lives."

Admission is free, with tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the performance. The Seoul Metropolitan Government continues to identify and support outstanding privately led cultural festivals, working to expand residents' access to cultural experiences and strengthen the foundation for local artists and the broader cultural and arts ecosystem.