KT&G (CEO Min Young-jin) is to hold the nation’s largest indie music album festival, “KT&G Sangsang Madang Label Market” at the Sangsang Madang Gallery in Seogyo-dong, Seoul, from December 19 until February 4 next year.

The “KT&G Sangsang Madang Label Market,” which marks its seventh anniversary this year since its start in 2007, is a program that presents indie music in various formats such as exhibitions and performances, and was established to introduce original music to the public and to revitalize the music market.

In this year’s event, more than 100 teams, including 58 labels and 42 teams of individual musicians, are slated to participate. Visitors are free to listen to and purchase more than 810 indie music albums on exhibit, and can enjoy various forms of indie music, including free performances by more than 50 teams of musicians. 

In particular, on the first day, a debut performance by Jambinai, a three-member Korean fusion classical music band that has been very well received lately at home and abroad, is scheduled to perform. As the group was formed temporarily in 2010 on the Sangsang Madang Label Market stage before being formally organized that year, its performance appears to be more meaningful.

In addition, the program “Personal Talk,” through which musicians present a mini talk show on music and performance, and the exhibition “Label Growth Ring,” which shows the history of the nation’s indie music, will also be prepared. All programs will be run free of charge. 

KT&G Sangsang Madang visual art team leader Kim Il-gwon said, “Not a few musicians suffer hardship because it is not easy for them to meet the public by the very nature of indie music,” adding that “we hope this event will provide talented musicians with an opportunity to meet a wider public.”