Best of Budapest & Hungary

On October 25, a true world sensation will take the stage at Müpa Budapest: Jung Jaeil, the South Korean composer behind the unforgettable music of Squid Game and Parasite, will perform in Hungary for the first time. The concert, held at the Bartók Béla National Concert Hall, is a Müpa production featuring Jung Jaeil’s most iconic works, performed alongside the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra and renowned traditional Korean instrumentalists.

    Music Recognized Around the World

    When thinking of Korea’s two biggest global hits of recent years, it’s almost impossible not to hear Jung Jaeil’s music. He composed the score for Parasite (2019), the Oscar- and Palme d’Or-winning film by Bong Joon-ho, and also created the tense yet lyrical soundtrack for Squid Game, Netflix’s most-watched series of all time. His music is both modern and timeless — drawing on classical composers such as Bach and Arvo Pärt, blending pop culture influences, and infusing them with distinct Korean emotional depth. In addition to composing, Jung Jaeil also arranges, conducts, and performs. His works explore the borderland between human emotion and social reality, as so powerfully heard in Bong Joon-ho’s films.

    Unique Evening in Budapest

    A graduate of the Seoul Jazz Academy, Jung Jaeil is one of the most fascinating figures in contemporary film music — an artist whose innovative and multifaceted style has earned him international acclaim. His Budapest concert promises a musical journey through his most celebrated film scores and solo album tracks, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience his music live.

    He will be accompanied by the Budafok Dohnányi Orchestra, conducted by Apor Szüts, and joined by three distinguished Korean musicians: Kim Yulhee, master of pansori (traditional Korean vocal art); Lee Aram, virtuoso of the daegeum (Korean bamboo flute); and Lee Junhyung, an acclaimed performer on the janggu (Korean drum).

    Where East Meets West

    Jung Jaeil’s music not only creates powerful on-screen atmospheres but also captivates audiences in live performance. His compositions seamlessly blend Western symphonic soundscapes with traditional Korean musical elements, creating a unique meeting point where contemporary film music gains new dimensions.

    The world-renowned composer’s Hungarian debut takes place as part of a project commemorating the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, presented by Hungary’s leading performing arts institution. The concert celebrates the vibrant energy and diversity of contemporary Korean popular and film music, offering an extraordinary musical journey bridging East and West.

    This concert is sure to be one of the most anticipated cultural events of the season — a rare chance to hear a world-famous film composer perform his own works live in Hungary.
Müpa Budapest presents the performance with the support of the Korean Cultural Center.