2nd Bongwha Global Song Festival holds 2nd preliminary round; 12 acts advance to October final

27 acts, 9 countries, one hall in Bongwha

September 20 brought the 2nd preliminary round of the 2nd Bongwha Global Song Festival to Bongwha County Citizens' Hall. The World Confucian Culture Foundation organized the event, which featured 27 individuals and teams who'd made it past the 1st preliminary round. That earlier stage ran across six regional stops in August: Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju, and Andong.

Nine countries sent competitors: China, Taiwan, Mongolia, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Three judges watched the performances. Baritone Kwon Dae-il, singer Choi Jung-ho, and Andong MBC PD Kang Byung-gyu evaluated the field. Twelve acts moved on to the final.

Finals land on October 17 at the Songyi Festival

October 17 (Saturday) is when the final round happens. It takes place on the special stage at the Bongwha Songyi Festival. Jang Han-byeol and Jung Hye-rin will perform as invited guests. Kostantis Hispe (코스탄히스페), who won the grand prize at the 1st Bongwha Global Song Festival, will also take the stage for a special congratulatory performance.

A Bongwha County official reflected on the event: "Seeing participants of various nationalities from across the country come to Bongwha and become one through music, I realize the deep meaning of the song festival." The county plans to build the competition into a flagship global cultural festival for both participants and audiences.