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.