By Aisylu Akhmetzianova and Yoon Sojung

The Italian city of Milan has fallen in love with the charm of pansori (traditional Korean lyrical opera).

Pansori vocalist Kim Jungmin on June 3 performed the complete Jeokbyeokga (Song of Jeokbyeok), a retelling of the legendary Battle of the Red Cliffs, at Teatro dal Verme, one of the three largest theaters in the city, according to the Korean Consulate General in Milan on June 6.

Designated National Intangible Heritage No. 5 to carry on the pansori song Heungbuga (Song of Heungbu), Kim presented a two-hour show accompanied by master drummer Choi Kwangsu. Yonhap News said Kim's performance captivated the audience with her strong yet gentle vocal skills.

The consulate general said the performance attracted massive public attention as all 1,400 seats were sold out just a few days after tickets went on sale.

This was the third time Kim performed in Italy, following shows in 2019 and last year.

Her performances are among efforts to use the global boom in Korean pop, movies and dramas to spread traditional Korean culture such as pansori, which is designated UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Kim's latest performance holds more meaning because Milan is where pansori was first performed in Italy in 2019.

Consul General Kang Hyung-Shik told Yonhap News, "I hope that this performance is an opportunity to further spread Korea's excellent culture to Italy and the entire world and expand exchange and cooperation between Korea and Italy."

aisylu@korea.kr