A symbolic blend of “Seoul,” “Parade,” and “2025,” Seoul Parade 25 is a grand rhythmic parade led by three groups: professionals, amateur percussionists, and everyday citizens. It’s a celebration of community, rhythm, and connection, where anyone can be part of the beat. A vibrant celebration where everyone comes together through the power of music united by rhythm, driven by passion.

[Participating Groups]

Green Walking, Planning Group 168, Guksuldang, Madame Salon, Madame Family, Body Music K, Body Music Korea, BBBrass, Bloco Violeta, Bloco Planta, POLÊ POLÊ, Soorim Cultural Foundation, Sorisaegim, Music Festival See Now We, Abadá-Capoeira, Drum Channel, Yamaha Music Korea, UNESCO Batucada, Contemporary Korean Percussion Collective Didimsori, Korea–Africa Cultural & Arts Center, Hooray, Hongje-dong Drum

Through pre-registration, participants learn basic rhythms and percussion techniques to enjoy the parade together at the festival site. On-site registration is also available to participate in the parade!

Sonny Emory is a former member of the legendary band Earth, Wind & Fire. He has also worked with artists such as Bruce Hornsby, Steely Dan, Eric Clapton, and Lee Ritenour. Sonny Emory Instagram ↗

Grammy-winning drummer Sonny Emory presents a solo performance that showcases his signature techniques and wide-ranging style.


– Mariana Baraj: An Argentine vocalist, charango player, composer, and producer, Baraj blends folk music with global influences, creating a new musical language. A Latin Grammy nominee and multiple award winner, she explores Bolivian and Latin rhythms through her experimental project COCAIBICA, modernizing Argentine folk music.

– Chang Jae-hyo: A percussionist and vocalist, Chang has performed with groups like PURI and Seulgidung, mixing Korean rhythms with global percussion styles. He founded the Sonagi Project and served as artistic advisor to Japan’s Sukiyaki Meets the World Festival. His notable work is the janggu ensemble piece Barame Soop.

– Soona Park: A third-generation Korean-Japanese musician, Soona Park studied the gayageum in North Korea at 17 and later moved to Korea to deepen her knowledge. Known for her delicate performances, she emphasizes the instrument’s resonance and uses a wide range of strings in her music.

– electree: A duo formed by Yu Young-ha and Lee Jeong-seok in 2020, electree blends traditional Korean music with popular styles. They’ve released digital singles and a full album, Frame. Yu has performed with fusion jazz group Retro Twang, while Lee is a geomungo sanjo performer, using various instruments in their diverse music. Mariana Baraj Website ↗ Chang Jae-hyo Website ↗ Chang Jae-hyo Instagram ↗ Chang Jae-hyo Facebook ↗ Soona Park Youtube ↗ Soona Park Instagram ↗ electree Youtube ↗ electree Instagram ↗

Argentina’s renowned female percussionist Mariana Baraj and Korean traditional percussion performer Chang Jae-hyo, who have maintained a long artistic exchange since first meeting in Brazil. They are joined by top-tier gayageum player Soona Park and the emotionally evocative duo electree, who pursue harmony between traditional Korean music and pop, for a collaborative performance. This collaboration showcases a uniquely different sound where the exotic sounds of the Andes meet Korean sensibility.

Vibraphonist Kim Ye-chan, selected by the magazine Jazz People as a rising new talent in jazz, joins Jeon Kyung-ho, the world’s first visually impaired marimba performer. Ye Chan Kim Instagram ↗

A stage showcasing vibraphonist Kim Ye-chan’s diverse musical spectrum! The program features solo vibraphone improvisation, classical pieces for marimba and vibraphone duo, modern jazz with a jazz vibraphone trio, and concludes with contemporary jazz by the band “Forestet.” Experience various aspects of the vibraphone through unique instrumental combinations and diverse musical genres rarely encountered.

Dabda is a four-piece indie rock band loved by live scene fans for their sensitively varied performances and live energy. After their 2016 debut EP Island of Each, they released their first full album But, All The Shining Things Are in 2020, followed by a collaborative single Jungle Gym with Toe’s Takashi Kashikura in 2021. Since releasing their EP Yonder in August 2023, they have been actively participating in domestic and international festivals and overseas tours.
Kashikura Takashi formed the band Toe in 2000, which has been highly praised both in Japan and abroad for its unique musical style. Since 2009, he has also been a member of the rock band the HIATUS, formed by Takeshi Hosomi of ELLEGARDEN.
In addition, he has worked as a support drummer for numerous artists, including Kimura Kaela, ACO, cotoringo, Kuroki Nagisa, Momoiro Clover Z, Superfly, and Porno Graffitti, earning high acclaim for his exceptional playing skills and expressive performance.
Dabda Instagram ↗ Dabda X ↗ Dabda TikTok ↗ Dabda Youtube ↗ Dabda Facebook ↗

A collaboration performance highlighting rhythm and beat where Korea’s math rock band Dabda and Japan’s cult-favorite rock band Toe’s drummer participate as a single band.

SHINDRUM is the rhythm mastermind behind the musician-centered label RHYTHM SOMANG SARANG (RSS). As both drummer and producer, he fearlessly collaborates with diverse artists to bring his creative visions to life, always infusing the final product with his distinctive signature and approach. SHINDRUM Instagram ↗

The performance is structured in three chapters: Soul Delivery, followed by ’90s Hip-hop & Sampling, and culminating in ’80s-’90s Soul & Disco. Through this format, rather than simply presenting SHINDRUM as just a drummer in a band, the show aims to demonstrate how he has evolved within the cultural flow of rhythm.

A group embodying the ambitions of young performers who aim to share great joy with people. This ensemble brings together young artists affiliated with Korea National University of Arts from across the country, each with diverse talents and abilities. Based in traditional arts, they currently promote TAELAC (meaning “great joy”) through various activities including creative mask dances and newly composed traditional Korean music.

[Members]

Leader: Jo Hye-su
Performers: Kang Dong-ho, Kim Gwan-hyeong, Kim Mi-so, Kim San, Byeon Ji-seop, Lee Seung-gi, Jang Ha-ri, Jeon Hyeong-gyu, Jo Jeong-hyeon, Jin gi-dong

Samulpangut is a comprehensive art form that combines pungmul (Korean folk percussion), music, and play. Four performers take on different roles to create a unified performance piece. Through this, the performers demonstrate a combination of military discipline and artistic skill, showcasing both cooperation and individual talent simultaneously.

Formed through JTBC’s Superband 2 in 2021, THE FIX is a powerhouse all-female band. Frontwoman Leenzy, captivates with her powerful, husky voice, leading a lineup of exceptional talents: ZO on bass and synth, known for outstanding bass skills and stylish musical interpretations; Eun Ah-kyung on drums, whose dynamic and refreshing techniques bring explosive energy; and Jung Na-young on electric guitar, blending playing with impressive stage performance. THE FIX Instagram ↗

It will be an electrifying performance showcasing their musical talent and passion through their distinctive rock sound that harmonizes the dynamics of traditional rock, complemented by tracks blending alternative rock and electronic pop genres.

The versatile one-man band Ando Project is a free musician who uses loop stations to gather momentary sounds and weave them into a single story. He is expanding his range of activities in various places where music is needed both domestically and internationally. Ando Project Instagram ↗ Ando Project Youtube ↗

At the 2025 Seoul Drum Festival, experience an electrifying performance where rhythm flows from his fingertips, brought to life with the rich sound of the house band, adding depth and energy to the music.

Korean beatmaker SOWALL is known for her genre-blending soundscape across jazz, hip-hop, and electronic. Her signature dreamy beats and inventive sampling have led to collaborations with artists across Korea and abroad. SOWALL Instagram ↗

In this special set, SOWALL joins forces with singer-songwriter ijo to present a narrative-driven performance.

A Yamaha specialist and composer/arranger, Park Hong-ki currently teaches at Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts and Jeonghwa Arts College.
 PARK HONG GI Instagram ↗ PARK HONG GI Youtube ↗

Step into the world of finger drumming with Yamaha finger drum pad FGDP and Park Hong-ki. This immersive session lets even total beginners perform exciting beats, guaranteed to be a magical, 100% engaging experience!

From legendary rock bands Vassline, Seo Taiji Band, LudiSTeLO, and Hollow Jan, drummer Choi Hyunjin has long set the standard for Korean rock drumming. He’s joined by Kim Seulong, a fierce drummer and producer known from hit audition shows Top Band and Super Band, and drummer of the band TOXIC. Hyun Jin Choi Instagram ↗ Seul Ong Kim Instagram ↗

A powerful joint performance by two Yamaha drum artists awaits you on the Yamaha Rock Stage, followed by an exclusive autograph session.

Percussion project group Samatti (2018–present), Handpan artist (2014–present), Traditional percussionist (since 1992), and Social enterprise Cultural Village Deulsori performance team leader (1997–2015) Taekhu Ha Instagram ↗

“Touch” is rhythm, connection, and resonance that reaches the heart. It offers a space to release inner stress through drumming, to better understand the body and the self, and to explore pathways to healing. More than just a physical act, this is a journey toward making rhythm an artistic and mindful experience. As participants play their own sounds and feel them blend with others’ rhythms and beats, they come to recognize the essence of shared music and the breath that flows between giving and receiving.

[TBD]: Grand Prize Winner, Youth Division Drum Category in THE DRUMMER Competition at 2025 Seoul Drum Festival

[TBD]: Grand Prize Winner, Adult Division Drum Category in THE DRUMMER Competition at 2025 Seoul Drum Festival

[TBD]: Best Player Award Winner, Percussion Category in THE DRUMMER Competition at 2025 Seoul Drum Festival

Three breakout talents take the spotlight after rising through THE DRUMMER, the official youth and amateur competition of the Seoul Drum Festival.

A drum clinic on techniques based on Sonny Emory’s diverse styles and methods, followed by a Q&A and autograph session