From Barcelona to Gwangju: Our Musical Adventure in South Korea 🇰🇷✈️

Taking our music from the Mediterranean to the heart of Asia seemed like a distant dream when we started in Barcelona back in 2021. However, destiny had one of the most intense and transformative experiences of our career waiting for us: crossing the globe to participate in the prestigious Gwangju Busking World Cup in South Korea.

The journey was a rollercoaster of emotions, contrasts, and deep learning. Here is a glimpse of what we experienced on the other side of the world:

⏱️ 15 Minutes That Felt Like a Century

If there is one thing that defines festivals in South Korea, it is their military precision. For us, coming from a different pace, adapting to the festival’s tight schedule was a true challenge. We were given a soundcheck of barely 15 minutes. Imagine the adrenaline: plugging in the Spanish guitar, setting up the synths, miking the wooden percussion and Andean flutes... all against the clock! It was a highly stressful and intense moment, but the incredible professionalism of the Korean crew, combined with our stage chemistry, made everything sound flawless in the end.

🗣️ The Language of Gestures (and the Quest for Bread)

One of our biggest cultural shocks was communication. We quickly realized that very few people in Gwangju spoke English, so body language, warm smiles, and hand gestures became our ultimate tools for daily survival.

And among the funniest anecdotes... our breakfast odyssey! As Barcelona locals, we deeply missed a good piece of bread—it was practically non-existent in the country! However, the lack of wheat was more than compensated for: the food in Korea is absolutely spectacular. We fell in love with the bold flavors, the rich broths, the kimchi, and the freshness of every dish. It was an incredible culinary experience that fueled us before every single performance.

🍵 A Sanctuary of Ancient Peace

In the midst of the competition's whirlwind, the festival gifted us a magical moment that we will cherish forever: we were invited to a traditional, ancient tea ceremony. It was a beautiful, silent ritual steeped in mysticism. Watching the delicacy with which they prepared each infusion brought us a profound sense of peace—a necessary breath of fresh air that connected us with the spirituality and calmness of Korean culture just before hitting the stage.

🌍 The Greatest Prize: A Global Family of Friends

Beyond the competition itself, the most beautiful part of Gwangju happened backstage. There, we crossed paths with musicians from every corner of the earth. Even when language posed a barrier, music proved to be the ultimate universal language. We shared melodies, rhythms, and laughs, returning to Barcelona with a wonderful network of new friends and global colleagues.

Gwangju changed us. We came back with stronger wings, ready to keep blending worlds, and deeply grateful to have planted a piece of our soul in Korean soil. Thank you for walking this path with us!