The 105th Korean National Sports Festival’s Opening Ceremony Celebrates Culture, Competition & Audio Brilliance from JBL + Blue Noise

The 105th Korean National Sports Festival 2024 commenced in grand style with an opening ceremony that captured the energy and excitement of a nation united in competition and culture. Held at the Gimhae Sports Complex in Gimhae, South Korea, the event was an impressive celebration of Gyeongnam’s cultural heritage and its aspirations in aerospace technology. Titled “From Space to Space, the Flame of Harmony,” the ceremony illuminated the region’s past, present, and future through a blend of captivating performances, cutting-edge technology, and a showcase of athletic prowess.

This year, the ceremony began with a breathtaking air show by the Republic of Korea Air Force’s aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. This was followed by the entrance of the athletes, representing the spirit of competition and unity. The main event unfolded in a large-scale performance divided into five distinct sections, each narrating the host province’s 50,000-year history through a compelling combination of video projections, percussion music, and dance. From the dawn of human civilisation to Gyeongnam’s ambitions in aerospace and future industries, the performance seamlessly wove together the past and the present. Adding to the grandeur were musical performances by celebrated artists Jang Yoon-jeong, Kim Da-hyun, and Harmonize, who captivated the audience with their talent and charm.

A defining highlight of the event was its exceptional production quality, achieved through a comprehensive JBL Professional loudspeaker system designed and deployed by Blue Noise – a renowned solutions provider known for its expertise in delivering high-impact sound experiences. And with a focus on creating an immersive sonic environment, the audio team rose to the challenge of translating the organisers’ ambitious vision into reality.

The process began with an extensive survey of the venue, taking into consideration the unique acoustical dynamics of the Gimhae Sports Complex and the scale of the audience. Armed with this insight, the team devised a meticulously detailed plan to implement a robust live sound architecture capable of delivering an awe-inspiring experience to every attendee. Central to their success was the deployment of a comprehensive loudspeaker system from JBL Professional, a name synonymous with high-performance audio solutions.

At the heart of the setup were 48 units of JBL’s VTX A12 line array modules, complemented by 24 units of the compact yet powerful VTX A8 line array modules; which together were paired with 16 VTX B28 dual 18-inch subwoofers, creating a formidable main PA solution that seamlessly covered the stadium-style seating area. The team employed a strategic distribution approach, positioning ‘sets’ of the A12 / A8 and B28s around the perimeter of the ground; wherein each VTX A12 and A8 module was meticulously angled to provide unparalleled projection and linearity, guaranteeing that every audience member, regardless of seating position, enjoyed a pristine audio experience. The VTX B28 subwoofers further elevated the soundscape with their thunderous low-frequency performance. Deployed with pinpoint precision, they ensured impactful bass response that resonated powerfully across the entire venue. Together, the VTX line arrays and subwoofers emphatically delivered a cohesive and immersive sound environment that amplified the emotional and sensory impact of the ceremony.

To refine the deployment and achieve optimal results, it is believed that the team utilised JBL’s advanced acoustic simulation software, which enabled the engineers to model the venue’s acoustics and fine-tune the system configuration for maximum effectiveness. By simulating the acoustic behaviour of the loudspeakers within the stadium, the team pre-emptively addressed potential challenges and ensured flawless sound quality during the live event; resulting in an audio experience that was not only powerful but also remarkably clear and consistent.

The collaboration between Blue Noise and JBL Professional exemplified the transformative potential of technology and expertise in large-scale productions. The audio team’s dedication to precision and excellence was evident in every detail, from the initial planning stages to the final execution. Their efforts ensured that the audience could fully immerse themselves in the performances, whether it was the subtle nuances of a musical act or the grandeur of the large-scale historical re-enactments.