by Max Newman
In a world of genre blending, contemporary bluegrass and K-Pop are two musical styles that most would not imagine being intertwined.
Think again: on October 8th, the Cleveland Museum of Art will play host to South Korea’s Country GongBang, the nation’s “first and only bluegrass band.”
The 7:30 pm concert in Gartner Auditorium will be a testament both to the group’s artistry and the surprisingly international reach of bluegrass music. I communicated with the band via email through their agent Shawn Choi.
In 2014, the band was formed by Yebin Kim (mandolin and vocals), Hyunho Jang (banjo), and Keeha Song (bass), who met as classmates at university. The group began by playing country pop and country rock, which became the foundation of their sound. Over time, their interest in bluegrass deepened, and they invited Jongsu Yoon (fiddle) and Sunjae Won (guitar) to join, completing the band’s lineup.
In an interview with Cleveland.com, Yoon emphasized the individual paths by which each member came to bluegrass. “[In Korea] there are no institutions or teachers that specialize in bluegrass — we all found our own way by listening to music and imitating what we heard.”
Influenced by such American artists as Alison Krauss and Rhonda Vincent, the group released their debut album, We All Need Bluegrass, in 2018. But it was their appearance on a prestigious IBMA World of Bluegrass event in 2020 that boosted their image up another level. In 2023, the group released their second album, this time drawing inspiration from Punch Brothers, classical music, jazz, and other genres, “which allowed them to create a more expansive and diverse sound.”
The band says that responses to their unique sound have been positive. “People often say our music feels fresh and new. While we reinterpret traditional bluegrass in our own way, we make sure to preserve its essence. This balance has allowed even longtime bluegrass fans to enjoy our music without hesitation.”
This is not Country GongBang’s first time in the U.S. The group embarked on an American tour last year, playing at storied venues like Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. The experience, the group says, was a brilliant one. “We met and jammed with artists we had only admired online, and hearing them live was electrifying. That tour broadened our perspective and gave us confidence, and we believe it will make this upcoming tour even more meaningful.”
This will, however, be Country GongBang’s first time in Cleveland — and they are thrilled about the prospect. “When we mentioned it to a friend who studied there, they told us how famous and beautiful the Museum is, even pointing out that it appeared in an Avengers movie. Later, when we saw the lineup, we realized what an incredible stage it is. We feel both excited and humbled.”
Two years ago Country GongBang received a grant from the International Bluegrass Music Association, which provided significant aid for travel and visa expenses. The grant has also motivated the band to take the project as far as possible. “Since bluegrass is still not widely known in Korea, we want to share it with more audiences at home and across Asia. Beyond that, we dream of performing more frequently in the US, on the same stages as the artists we admire most.”
Published on ClevelandClassical.com October 5, 2025
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