Pansori: Korean Traditional Music and the Soul of a Nation

Korean pansori, an art form recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a high-art, solo opera unique to Korea.

Unlike Western traditional opera, where multiple performers sing and act to the accompaniment of orchestral music to unfold a grand narrative, pansori is a distinctive and highly artistic Korean vocal genre in which a single singer, known as a "sori-gwangdae," narrates a grand novel through song, accompanied by the drumming of a single percussionist, a "gosu."

Pansori has been intertwined with Korea's history, expressing the joys and sorrows of its people. It is considered the essence of Korean culture, with its originality and excellence acknowledged worldwide. In 2003, it was recognized as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity," and in 2008, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

The term pansori comes from "pan," meaning a place where people gather, and "sori," meaning song. It is generally agreed by scholars that pansori originated and was passed down starting in the 17th century. Pansori is unique in that it is completed through active participation from both the performer and the audience. If there is an audience, the performance could take place anywhere: in a market, a yard, a room, or a stage. Initially passed down orally among common folk, pansori became more refined with literary content by the late 19th century and gained popularity among urban intellectuals.

The Five Major Works of Pansori

The background, characters, and situations in pansori are rooted in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910). The pansori singer undergoes long and harsh training to master various vocal chorals and memorize complex narratives. As they develop their unique interpretation style, many famous pansori masters have emerged, known for their distinct performance styles.

When pansori first emerged, the performances were relatively short, with twelve major pieces in total, including Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Sugunga, Heungboga, Jeokbyeokga, Baebijangtaryeong, Byeongangsoetaryeong, Jangkitaryeong, Ongojiptaryeong, Musukitaryeong, Gangnyeongmaehuataryeong, and Gajasinseontaryeong.

As the stories became more elaborate, incorporating themes of loyalty, filial piety, and chastity reflective of Joseon-era values, pansori was narrowed down to five major works: Chunhyangga (the love story of Chunhyang and Mongryong), Simcheongga (the story of Simcheong, the filial daughter, and her father, Sim Bongsa), Sugunga (the tale of a rabbit, also known as Byeoljubujeon), Heungboga (the story of the poor Heungbo and his rich brother Nolbo), and Jeokbyeokga (a musical rendition of the Battle of Red Cliffs from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms).

Pansori: A Dynamic Artform with One Singer and One Drummer

Pansori involves a solo singer and a single percussionist, known as the gosu, creating a musical narrative together. The performance combines rich vocal expressions with aniri (spoken parts), well-crafted lyrics, and energetic body gestures. This folk art form bridges the cultures of both intellectual elites and commoners, making it a truly democratic art form. Performances can last up to 8 hours, with the soloist either male or female, who sings in a spontaneous style mixing scholarly and rustic expressions to fit the rhythm provided by the gosu.

The Rigorous Path to Become a Pansori Master

Becoming a pansori master requires an arduous training process. To earn the title of master, one must master four essential skills: character portrayal, lyrics delivery, vocal mastery (deumeum), and body movements (neoreumse). The most critical skill is deumeum, which involves distinguishing the five basic sounds and mastering the ability to manipulate sounds from the five organs freely.

Moreover, a pansori master needs to have a good appearance, use clear diction, and have the ability to engage the audience with both humor and deep emotion. A sori-gwangdae typically spends 15 to 30 years undergoing rigorous training before reaching the level of mastery

The sori-gwangdae must sing in various modes, such as ujogi (light and brisk), pyeongjogi (calm and slow), and gyemyeon (melancholic and sorrowful), to effectively convey the underlying themes of the performance.

The Essential Role of the Gosu

A pansori performance truly shines when a skilled gosu, a single percussionist drumming, accompanies the singer. The relationship between the sori-gwangdae and gosu is paramount, as their collaborative performance brings the piece to life. Gosu needs to have three essential qualities: posture, rhythmic timing, and ability to lead the singer.

Audience Participation: Vital for the Success of Pansori

Even with a masterful singer and drummer, pansori requires the active participation of the audience. The audience's vocal encouragements, such as “Eolssigu!” and “Good job!” help energize the performance and increase its emotional impact.

Pansori’s Revival in Modern Times

As Korea rapidly modernized, pansori faced a crisis. In 1964, the Korean government designated pansori as an important intangible cultural asset, leading to institutional support and revitalization. However, while pansori remains one of the most famous traditional performing arts, its original spontaneity has diminished. The increasing documentation of pansori led to a more standardized form, suppressing some of its improvisational nature.

Nevertheless, this shift has paradoxically helped preserve pansori and is a crucial factor in its survival. Today, there are fewer sori-gwangdae who can fully embody the improvisational genius of traditional pansori, and audiences are not as moved by its unique improvisational style.

Regional Styles of Pansori Korean Traditional Music

Like dialects across regions, pansori has distinct regional styles: Dongpyeonje (Eastern style), Seopyeonje (Western style), and Junggoje (Middle style). Each regional style has its own distinct vocal techniques and expressions, adding further richness to this traditional art form.

Pansori: A Song of Hope for a New Society and Era

As a traditional art that represents the emotional landscape of its time, pansori expresses the highs and lows of life through music, while also engaging the audience. The five major works of pansori are all designated as important intangible cultural assets, ensuring their protection and preservation.

Pansori vividly portrays the lives of the common people and reflects their hopes for a new society and era. It has served as a cultural bridge between different social classes, helping to mediate and integrate societal views. Moreover, it is an open and adaptive art form that absorbs and synthesizes elements from other traditional arts, demonstrating the full expressive potential of the Korean language.

Is there any other vocal tradition in the world that combines a grand narrative like pansori, with such diverse vocal chorals and changes in timbre? Pansori is not just Korean music—it's a reflection of the nation’s spirit, history, and culture.

If you wish to experience authentic pansori performances in Korea, consider visiting venues like the National Theater of Korea (Daloreum Theater), the National Gugak Center (Umyeondang), Seoul Namsan Gugakdang, Seoul Donhwamun Gugakdang, or the National Heritage Promotion Institute (Pungnyu Theater). For more information, you can also visit the Korea Tourism Organization website (https://www.visitkorea.or.kr/).