Song So-hee, taking off Hanbok for a mesh dress… a bold transformation shown at the Saba Festival

Song So-hee, once known as the "Gugak (traditional Korean music) Girl," took the stage with a radical styling instead of her usual hanbok. At 'SOUNDBERRY FESTA 26' held at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do on the 18th, Song So-hee faced the audience with a look that completely broke away from her existing elegant image.

On the 19th, immediately following the performance, Song So-hee posted several behind-the-scenes photos from the stage on her social media. In the photos, she showcased a hip fashion style, layering a black mesh dress over a white sleeveless top and a casual checkered shirt. By matching it with khaki pants, she created a free-spirited yet sensible atmosphere.

Breaking the 'Gugak Girl' Image to Stand Alone as an Artist

This stylistic change goes beyond a simple change of clothes, visually demonstrating the shift in Song So-hee's musical trajectory. Having been imprinted on the public as a neat figure in hanbok since her childhood as a Gyeonggi Minyo singer, Song So-hee has recently been strengthening her identity as a singer-songwriter who writes her own songs and incorporates modern sounds. At this festival stage, she also connected with the audience by passionately singing her new song, 'PARADE(生)'.

On-site, Song So-hee enjoyed the stage with confident poses and expressions. Her natural wavy hair and restrained makeup served as elements that erased her previous youthful image and revealed her identity as a mature artist. In the pop culture industry, there is an increasing trend of artists using fashion and visuals as a language to convey musical messages, and Song So-hee's transformation is interpreted as an attempt to visualize her musical color.

Reflections Shared at Soundberry Festa

Song So-hee left a message to share the lingering emotions of the performance with her fans. On social media, she conveyed the heat of the festival, writing, "Thank you, Alaska, for singing along. Thank you, Sabepe. I had a blast. We were all as happy as we could be yesterday, right?" Here, 'Alaska' appears to refer to a colleague who performed with her, and 'Sabepe' is an abbreviation for Soundberry Festa. Additionally, she revealed her close relationship with her colleague Min-young by adding the message, "Min-young, I love you."

At the scene, there were many reactions expressing surprise at Song So-hee's changed appearance. Unlike her past self, which remained within the framework of traditional Gugak, this styling, which actively embraced modern sensibilities, became an indicator of how far her musical spectrum can expand. In particular, this visual change, shared in real-time through digital platforms, served as an opportunity to imprint a new brand image on her fans.

Exclusive Contract with Authentic and Future Musical Steps

This change in Song So-hee aligns with her recent activities. Song So-hee is preparing for a new leap forward, having recently signed an exclusive contract with the comprehensive entertainment agency Authentic. As she builds her own unique musical world as a singer-songwriter after growing up based on traditional music, her collaboration with the agency is expected to support even broader activities.

Beyond simply contributing to the popularization of Gugak, she is pioneering a unique musical territory that encompasses both tradition and modernity. The new song 'PARADE(生)' presented at this 'Soundberry Festa' is a result of her musical contemplations and her changed identity. The industry's eyes are focused on how Song So-hee, who has shed her hanbok for mesh fashion and modern sounds, will continue to expand her worldview through future performances and music.

Transformation from Traditional Gugak to Singer-Songwriter

Song So-hee has contributed to the popularization of Gugak, performing as a Gyeonggi Minyo singer since her childhood. Recently, she has been expanding her field of activity as a singer-songwriter who blends traditional music with modern sensibilities.

She is preparing for new activities after signing an exclusive contract with the comprehensive entertainment agency Authentic. The new song 'PARADE(生)' presented on this stage is also an extension of this change.