The young Korean musician who performs under the name Daaa Chan (her real name is Kim Da-hye) plays the gayageum, a traditional Korean string instrument, but in a rather unconventional way. The instrumentation of her duo is reminiscent of the traditional Korean style of sanjo, which has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2008. Sanjo also features the twelve-string gayageum alongside the janggu, an hourglass-shaped drum played with sticks on both sides. Both instruments are central to Daaa Chan’s project, which she describes as “contemporary Korean traditional music centered around the gayageum.”

Daaa Chan received formal classical training and has many years of experience playing the instrument, yet she enjoys combining traditional techniques with modern interpretations. Rather than showcasing technical virtuosity, her debut solo project focuses on the emotions evoked in both the performer and the audience by the sounds of the gayageum and the accompanying percussion. Her compositions also highlight environmental themes.

In recent years, she has performed successfully at several international music festivals, including appearances in Singapore and Japan. This performance will mark her Slovak debut.