Light Variations

Chin Sooyoung, resident artist at the Korean Cultural Center, will pay tribute to the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation with a unique, poetic concert at the Budapest Music Center on September 22.

The repertoire of 'Light Variations' was created on the occasion of this historic anniversary: jazz music meets other art forms, shedding new light on the message of freedom. The repertoire of ‘Light Variations’ was created to mark this historic anniversary: jazz music meets other art forms, shedding new light on the message of freedom. With its unique genre collaborations, it promises an unforgettable evening for the audience.

The concert will not only be a celebration of jazz, but also a meeting place for different art forms. Chin Sooyoung, who worked in Budapest as the third resident artist of the Korean Cultural Center between 2024 and 2025, will bid farewell with this performance, concluding her residency program in Hungary.

In the two-part concert, Chin Sooyoung will first present her standard jazz repertoire on the piano, followed by a poetic drama based on the theme of ‘regained light’ in honor of the 80th anniversary of Korea's regained independence. This new work is based on Chin Sooyoung's music and the poetic lyrics of songwriter Yi Yeongyeong, and carries a hopeful message of light breaking through the darkness.

The evening will feature performers from various genres, including Lim Semi, an Austrian-based choreographer and dancer who is active throughout Europe; ROZU, who began her career as an R&B and K-pop singer; and Buen Hyun Jei, who graduated from the National Gugak High School and went on to study geomungo (Korean zither) at the Korean National University of Arts. Lizett Alíz Kondorosi, a young solo singer who performs at Matthias Church and St. Stephen's Basilica, will also be performing, preparing for the evening with an unusual recitation.

Yu Hye Ryong, director of the Korean Cultural Center, welcomes the audience to the concert with the following thoughts: "This performance is a joint creation by our resident artist, Chin Sooyoung, and her excellent partners, which aims to convey the brilliant light of the 80th anniversary of Korean liberation to the Hungarian audience. Like Korea, Hungary has also experienced historical trials and foreign occupations, which is why I am confident that the theme of liberation will resonate with the Hungarian spirit."