From Parasite to Squid Game

A true global sensation will arrive on the stage of the Palace of Arts (Müpa) in Budapest at the end of October: Jung Jaeil, the South Korean composer who composed the unforgettable music for Squid Game and Parasite, will perform in Hungary.

Of the two productions mentioned, Parasite won an Academy Award and a Palme d'Or in 2019, and Jung Jaeil also wrote the tense yet lyrical melodies for Squid Game, the most-watched series in Netflix history. His music is both modern and timeless: it draws on classical music (Bach, Arvo Pärt) and pop culture, while filling his works with a uniquely Korean emotional depth. Jung Jaeil not only composes, but also arranges, conducts, and performs. His works move between human emotions and social reality as we have heard in Bong Joon-ho's films.

A graduate of the Seoul Jazz Academy, Jung Jaeil is one of the most exciting figures in contemporary film music, whose innovative, multifaceted style has elevated him to the international forefront. His concert in Budapest promises to be a special musical journey: in addition to his best-known film scores, the audience will also hear excerpts from his solo albums.

The composer will be accompanied by the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra conducted by Apor Szüts, as well as three outstanding South Korean artists: Kim Yulhee, master of pansori (Korean singing), Lee Aram, virtuoso of the daegeum (Korean flute), and Lee Junhyung, renowned artist of the changgu (Korean percussion instrument), will complete the experience, according to a statement by Müpa.