The Expats Samulnori team was founded 2013 in Seoul, South Korea, by Swiss samulnori player Hendrikje Lange, while studying Korean traditional performing arts at the Korean National University of Arts and teaching janggu to foreigners at the National Gugak Center in Seoul. Korean samulnori players often have many years more experience than foreign players, which makes it difficult for most foreign players to join Korean teams. Hendrikje wanted to provide foreign players living in Korea with an opportunity to experience being a part of a samulnori team.

The group consists of amateurs and professionals, beginners and those with many years of experience, part-time players and full-time students of music from different countries around the world, but all living in Korea. Under the leadership of Hendrikje and with a lot of personal motivation and dedication by all members, those people have grown into an experienced team appearing on TV, in competitions, and at festivals throughout Korea.

In 2016 Hendrikje returned to Switzerland, but Expats Samulnori continues to perform under the leadership of Gaia Brusasco.