African and Korean beats collide and connect

A cultural crossover that wove the percussive heartbeats of Korea and Africa into a single performance brought together the unifying theme of Africa Day 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul on Wednesday.

Directed by Seodo, the leader of Korean fusion group Seodo Band, the program traced an arc from awakening to communion, framing the evening as a meeting of two traditions rather than a side-by-side showcase.

The first half, "Awakening," opened with Kulekan, a Seoul-based troupe led by Burkina Faso-born ...