I am thrilled to witness the opening of the new Korean Cultural Center NY building at 122-126 East 32nd Street in Murray Hill, Manhattan. Back in 2014, I had the opportunity to conduct ensemble mise-en at the inaugural MISE-EN MUSIC FESTIVAL at the current space of the Korean Cultural Center (460 Park Ave #601, New York, NY 10022). The original space was shared with a gallery, and we had a full-house concert. It was a wonderful memory, and I have always wanted to do more with KCCNY. Now, with this beautiful hall, I cannot resist becoming more involved with KCCNY.

Earlier this year, while working on the festival, I reached out to Hyo Han, Program Director of Performing Arts at KCCNY, to explore the possibility of KCCNY supporting the festival. Unfortunately, it was too late for them to be involved this year. However, we both expressed mutual interest in supporting the 10th-anniversary MISE-EN MUSIC FESTIVAL scheduled for June 2024. The developments have been moving in a positive direction. Last month, to discuss practicalities further with Director Han, we had a meeting at the new space of KCCNY. She graciously provided a tour of the beautiful hall even before the official opening, allowing me the privilege of seeing the inside of the space.

The venue was beautifully designed, and the acoustics seemed naturally warm with good resonance. The main materials are all wood, providing a distinctive ambiance compared to other venues with carpets in Manhattan. With about 200 seats, it is ideal for chamber music and experimental arts. I couldn’t resist taking some photos for that reason, and above is one of them.

After the visit, I had moments where I considered how I could assist KCCNY as a Korean artist heavily involved in technology. Director Han and I exchanged emails to discuss potential contributions and how I can help and collaborate to thrive in their new space. We mutually decided to become more involved, and I will be offering my expertise in music, arts, and technology. I am eagerly anticipating working closely and collaborating with the dedicated team. If you are a Korean artist interested in learning more about KCCNY and the new venue, don’t be a stranger. Let’s explore what we can achieve together.