Gugak – Traditional Music
Traditional Korean music is collectively referred to as gugak and it includes diverse genres and styles. In general, gugak is divided into court music and folk music. Court music is subdued and ceremonial while folk music is more dynamic, and sometimes involves storytelling.
The oldest gugak traditions can be traced back more than 1000 years to the Silla dynasty.
Depending on the piece, gugak can be performed by a solo singer, ensembles or even an entire orchestra.
Cultural suppression during the Japanese colonial occupation nearly wiped out traditional music traditions that had been passed down for generations. After independence, there was a national effort to preserve gugak and musical traditions were restored from surviving records and living memory. Thanks to these efforts, gugak was revived and now it gives us a fascinating look into the culture of Korea’s past.
Pansori, a storytelling sub-genre of folk music, is one of the most prominent genres of gugak. It is performed by a solo singer and a drummer and full performances can go on for hours. Samul-nori is another folk music tradition, in which an ensemble combines music, exciting rhythms, and acrobatics.
Gugak centers and concert halls host regular performances so there are always opportunities to experience gugak. Some historical sites and areas even host free outdoor performances for visitors to enjoy.
In recent decades, gugak has been forming new genres that incorporate Western influences. There are several musicals and operas that incorporate gugak to tell historical narratives for modern audiences. Other popular shows incorporate traditional Korean rhythm music, martial arts, and comedy.
Younger musicians are also interpreting gugak in their own styles. Recently a series of promotional videos made by the Korean Tourism Organization went viral. The videos feature Leenalchi; an indie pansori band, and the Ambiguous Dance Company, a contemporary dance group.