'100 Pianos' festival set for Oct. 3 at Samunjin

The Dalseong Culture Foundation announced Thursday that it will hold the "2026 Dalseong 100 Pianos" festival on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Samunjin open-air performance venue.

Selected in 2023 for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Local 100" program, the festival is Dalseong-gun's signature cultural event, built around the historical fact that the piano was first introduced to Korea through the Samunjin ferry crossing in 1900.

This year's festival will be anchored by pianist Kim Jeong-won, who has served as artistic director for the past three years.

Joining as section leaders are Kim Hong-gi, Park Yeon-min and Jeong Han-bin, all winners of international competitions. The centerpiece of the evening will be a large-scale ensemble performed by 100 pianists selected from across the country.

The Dalseong Piano Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Kim Gwang-hyeon, will also take the stage, joining the 100 pianos to create a sweeping musical experience.

The program bridges classical and popular music, featuring a collaboration with jazz pianist Cho Yun-seong Quartet and vocalist Woongsan, followed by a set from the emotive duo Melomance.

Dalseong-gun Mayor Choi Jae-hun said the festival is "an unrivaled cultural brand unique to Dalseong-gun, carrying the historical significance of being the site where the piano first arrived in Korea," adding that he would work to "share the joy of art with residents and visitors alike and raise the cultural profile of Dalseong-gun."