Multi-award winning group Ak Dan Gwang Chil, also known as ADG7, was formed in 2015, the year that Korea celebrated its 70th anniversary of national liberation.
The group combines South Korean traditional music with flashy pop. ADG7 includes three powerhouse female folk singers. The ensemble’s music is inspired by Korea’s sacred, shamanic ritual music (gut) and cherished folk songs (minyo) of Hwanghae Province in the northern edge of the Peninsula.
ADG7 delivers powerful and immersive performances intertwining tradition with modernity and comedy. Awards include: Best Group at the 2018 KBS Korean Traditional Music Awards and the Sori Frontier Award at the 2017 Jeongju International Sori Festival.
The South Korean group performed at world music showcases WOMEX (World Music Expo) in 2019 and at globalFEST in January 2020.
Band members in 2021 included Kim Yak Dae on daeguem; Lee Man Wol on piri and saenghwang; Grace Park on ajaeng; Woen Meon Dong Maru on gayaguem; Chun Gung Dal on percussion; Sunwoo Barabarabarabam on percussion; Hong Ok on vocals; Myeong Wol on vocals; and Yoo Wol on vocals.
(headline image: ADG7 – Photo by Lee Jong Sam)
Discography:
악단광칠 (self-released, 2017)
인생 꽃 같네 - Such is a Life (West Bridge Entertainment Corp., 2020)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.