Seo Jungmin: Shamanic Journey Through Gayageum

Seo Jungmin is a Korean Gayageum artist and composer who pushes the boundaries between traditional and contemporary music with her exceptional skills on the 25-string Gayageum. As a member of the renowned Korean traditional music duo Su:m, Seo has earned global recognition through performances at major festivals such as WOMEX, WOMAD, and SXSW.

In 2016, Seo released her debut solo album, COSMOS 25, which garnered critical acclaim and was nominated in the “Excellent Crossover Album” category at the 2017 Korean Music Awards. Furthermore, her concert project HOME received the prestigious “Repertoire of the Year” title from Arts Council Korea.

With her refreshing blend of the 25-string Gayageum, shamanic vocals, and percussion, Seo Jungmin mesmerizes audiences with her latest work, One, My Utopia!. The piece premiered at the 2022 CINARS Biennale and was selected as PAMS Choice at the Performing Arts Market Seoul in 2021. Inspired by the Gut, a shamanistic ceremony from the Jeolla-do region, Seo performs alongside multi-award-winning Korean Pansori singer Kim Yulhee and percussionist You Byungwook.

Overall, Seo Jungmin is a remarkable musician whose innovative approach to traditional Korean music has earned her worldwide acclaim, and her exceptional talent and creativity continue to make her an influential figure in the contemporary music scene.