Program Note
DJ and producer, 250 produced hip-hop and K-Pop artists like E SSENS, BoA and NCT127. He also gained popularity as a NewJeans producer, but why did he so desperately seek “Ppong”? The documentary series Finding Ppong consists of six parts and chronicles 250’s six-year quest to find “Ppong” while also documenting the creative process behind his award-winning album, “Ppong”, which won four awards at the 2023 Korean Music Awards. Finding Ppong features faded screens reminiscent of old videotapes and other nostalgic elements, such as sudden close-ups. It follows 250 as he searches for vintage instruments in traditional markets, visits a national singing contest, and learns social dances in order to capture the essence of “Ppong’s” rhythm. Initially, his journey may seem like a playful joke, but is similar to how the documentary Buena Vista Social Club unearthed hidden talents in Havana. 250’s musical journey uncovers the names of forgotten figures in Korean popular music history, such as Epaksa, Kim Soo-il, Oh Seung-won, and Yang In-ja. The seamless integration of visuals and music in capturing the essence of “Ppong” makes it a truly inspiring experience beyond imagination. (MO Eun-young)