Travel
Fun in Korea: Jinju’s traditional ‘Sottaejaengi Nori’ returns as a permanent performance starting May 6
Haps Magazine Korea
May 4, 2025
(Photo by Jinju City. Courtesy of Haps Magazine Korea.)
Jinju City will launch its 2025 permanent performance series of Sottaejaengi Nori on May 6 at 3:30 p.m., with the first show taking place on a special stage at Jinjuseong Fortress during the 24th Jinju Nongae Festival.
Sottaejaengi Nori is a traditional performance that originated in the Jinju area and was once led by professional entertainers during the Joseon Dynasty.
After its last known performance in Hamgyeong-do in 1936, the art form disappeared for decades before being restored in 2014.
Since 2015, it has been performed annually in Jinju under the guidance of the Sottaejaengi Nori Preservation Society.
In 2025, the performance will be staged five times, offering both citizens and visitors an opportunity to enjoy a vibrant showcase of Jinju’s living heritage.
The dynamic performance is celebrated for its spirited energy and historical significance, and the upcoming debut during the Jinju Nongae Festival is expected to draw families and tourists alike to experience the tradition firsthand.
The city has also scheduled Sottaejaengi Nori performances during the 2025 Korea Garden Industry Expo in June and the National Heritage Media Art Jinjuseong and Jinju National Heritage Night Tour in August.
All performances are free to the public.