Connecting Borders and Cultures 

Through the Language of Music

In 2023, MERRY began with a simple yet profound question - "Can we communicate through music beyond borders?" From that question, we started our first exchanges with overseas amateur orchestras. As a result, Japan's Meiji University Symphony Orchestra (明治大学交響楽団) and Den-en Chofu Gakuen Junior & Senior High School (田園調布学園中等部・高等部) reached out to collaborate, and in the summer of 2024, MERRY visited Japan with Korean musicians to hold two joint concerts. 

Building on the success in Japan, MERRY expanded its exchanges in 2025 to China and Taiwan. In Dalian, China, we held a joint performance with the Dalian Korean Youth Orchestra at the Dalian Development Zone Grand Theatre. In Taipei, Taiwan, we collaborated with the National Chengchi University (國立政治大學) Orchestra for a concert in the heart of the city of Taipei. 

Starting in 2025, MERRY also began hosting international groups in Korea for reciprocal exchange programmes. The Meiji University Symphony Orchestra and Den-en Chofu Gakuen, whom we first met in Japan, reunited with Korean members for performances at Sevit Island in Seoul and Aram Nuri Arts Center in Goyang. Both organisations signed MOU for continued partnership, pledging to sustain their cultural and musical exchange. 

In 2025,  MERRY hosted joint performances and exchange programmes with Meiji University Symphony Orchestra and Den-en Chofu Gakuen, as well as Dalian Korean Youth Orchestra, in commemoration of the ‘2025~2026 한일중 문화교류의 해’. This project was carried out as part of the ‘2025 한일중 미래세대 문화예술교류 지원사업’, organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and supervised by the Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. Through these initiatives, MERRY helped establish a new foundation for cultural and artistic cooperation among Korea, China, and Japan. 

MERRY's joint concerts extend beyond classical repertoire. They encompass traditional folk songs, popular music from each country, and soundtracks from well-known films and dramas, creating a stage where diverse cultures and sentiments are shared naturally. These performances offer audiences a more familiar and distinctive cultural and artistic experience. 

Also, MERRY places strong emphasis on collaborative planning. MERRY's planning team works closely with the planning teams of each participating organisation to shape the programme, coordinate schedules, and manage stage operations together. This process itself becomes another platform for cultural exchange, grounded in mutual understanding and cooperation. 

Performance Videos

Circular Cultural Exchange Model

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MERRY pursues a 'circular and reciprocal cultural exchange model in which all parties can serve as the host,' moving beyond one-time or simple joint performances. 

Most of the performers who collaborate with MERRY are citizen artists without formal musical training, yet this very diversity becomes the core strength of the cultural exchange. 

Centred on future generations, MERRY develops K-culture-based cultural exchange programmes in which anyone, regardless of profession and academic background, can take an active role. Participants travel between Korea and other countries, sharing not only the stage but also the experience of cities and everyday life. 

MERRY is committed not only to joint concerts and exchange programmes held abroad, but also to inviting overseas orchestra and choir to Korea to create performances together, embracing a fully reciprocal format. To ensure that communication between countries does not become one-sided, MERRY places importance on enabling participants to personally experience each other's cities and cultures, thereby deepening and expanding relationships. 

Moving forward, MERRY aims to continue growing as a sustainable international exchange platform that connects nations, generations, and individuals with different background through music, and to broaden opportunities for all to become active participants in culture and the arts. 

Performance Highlights

Major Achievements

Press Quotes

“The concert scheduled for August 9 at the Dalian Development Zone Grand Theatre will feature a repertoire of classical music, world-famous film and drama OSTs, as well as K-POP and Arirang, performed by a combined orchestra of around 70 musicians. Through this collaboration, the two youth orchestras will create a platform for artistic exchange, welcoming over 1,200 participants, including overseas Koreans and local Chinese audiences.”  매일경제, August 2025 

“The performers presented familiar music spanning both countries, including classical pieces, K-POP, OSTs from popular Korean and Japanese films, and Arirang, offering a cultural retreat for citizens visiting the Han River Park. During the concert, a ‘conducting event’ allowed audience members to try conducting the orchestra themselves, receiving an enthusiastic response.” 아시아경제, April 2025 

“The performance took place at the Global Ring Theatre, a major landmark located in Nishi-Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo, targeting passersby in the area. As an outdoor cultural arts event in the heart of the city, it draws inspiration from MERRY, the cultural arts organisation behind the Korea Amateur Orchestra Association, and its citizen-focused urban concert program, ‘Urban Concerts.’" 2024.08 세계일보, August 2024