Korea Tour : Traditional Korean Music

Koreans have the unique characteristic of lyrical sensibility and use music to express their emotions. Traditional Korean music can be divided into music listened by the royal family and by the commoners. Each shows big difference in style.

Jongmyo Jeryeak

Jongmyo Jeryeak, royal ancestral ritual music, the representative royal court music and played during ancestral rites, was solumn and splendid.

 

Pansori

In contrast, the commoners who wished to overcome the difficulties of the working class usually sang folk songs and pansori, a traditional Korean music that narrates a themed story. With a distinct inimitable sound, rhythm, and singing technique, Pansori was designated as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the UNESCO.

 

Fusion Music

Traditional Korean music has also greatly influenced Korean pop music these days. Recently, there is a growing trend of fusion art troupes where traditional Korean music is combined with contemporary music. 

Performances such as 'Nanta' and 'Gugak B-boy', were created through the mix of traditional Korean rhythms and rock music. Such fusion music has since been receiving attention both locally and abroad, highlighting Korea's important cultural code to the world.