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Experience Gugak, the art that embodies Korea’s identity

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Korea, known as the nation of joy and rhythm, has a rich musical tradition dating back to ancient times.


Korean gugak is more than just traditional music — it is a living culture that embodies the nation's history and emotions.


It reflects "han"—a sorrow or longing unique to Korean culture, gaining global recognition while evolving with the times.


Today, let's explore gugak and visit places in Korea where you can experience it firsthand!




Let's begin😎



Gugak(Korean traditional music) is a form of art that embodies the identity and uniqueness of the Korean people, regardless of class, gender, or age. It reflects Korean ways of life, emotions, history, and nature through sound and melody. Traditionally based on a pentatonic scale, its rhythmic patterns vary in form and tempo, giving each piece a distinct atmosphere. Rather than sticking strictly to fixed beats, gugak values flow and the beauty of space, and many compositions are highly improvisational. Koreans’ strong emphasis on community is also reflected in gugak—ensemble performances are more common than solo acts, and interactive elements like audience responses in pansori play a crucial role. Even today, gugak continues to evolve through creative and modern interpretations. Fusion gugak groups and musical-style performances have found wide appeal, especially among younger generations.



Gugak, meaning the traditional music of Korea, refers not only to ancient music but also to creative works developed after the 1940s—even those involving Western instruments. There are about 60 different instruments used in gugak, and it includes not just instrumental performances but also vocal genres like pansori. Gugak can be broadly categorized into jeongak (court music), minsogak (folk music), and contemporary creative music. Jeongak, such as royal court music and gagok, is known for its refined and restrained emotions, often used in formal or majestic settings. Minsogak includes music like pansori and pungmulnori, which were mainly enjoyed by commoners and focus more on expressing everyday emotions like joy and sorrow. Contemporary creative music refers to modern compositions using traditional gugak techniques, sometimes blended with Western instruments—this includes fusion styles. Additionally, traditional dances like court dance, folk dance, and modern choreographies are also considered part of gugak!



If you want to learn more about gugak, check out the "Let's Gugak" series on the National Theater of Korea's YouTube channel! "Let's Gugak" is an online lecture series aimed at making gugak accessible even for non-Koreans. The National Theater's Foreigners' Gugak Academy has been gaining popularity, with over 100 foreign students every year, allowing them to learn traditional Korean performing arts directly. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, online video content was introduced. Series 1 covers three fields: samul nori (traditional Korean percussion quartet), pansori (traditional storytelling), and Korean dance. Series 2 offers more advanced lessons in these areas. Series 3 delves into pansori "Sugungga," a tale of a rabbit who is tricked by a turtle and ends up in the Dragon King of the sea's palace but returns safely. Listen to the fascinating story explained by a pansori scholar and learn from a member of the National Changgeuk Company!





The National Gugak Center is a national arts institution that oversees traditional music and dance, working diligently to preserve and pass on gugak. In addition to its role in conservation, the center is also responsible for promoting and advancing gugak, offering a variety of programs for the public. Experience diverse performances, educational programs, and exhibitions at the National Gugak Center! The center boasts four performance halls and is home to several ensembles, allowing for a wide array of performances. You can see performances by the Jeongakdan, which plays court music; the Minsogakdan, which plays pansori; as well as performances by Changjagakdan and dance troupes that reinterpret traditional Korean music in a modern way. A visit to the Gugak Museum is highly recommended, where you can see exhibits of traditional musical instruments and artifacts. As a specialized center for gugak, it not only offers visual displays but also provides audio exhibits, allowing visitors to experience Korea's unique musical culture through various interactive experiences.



Address: 2364 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul

Work: Museum 10AM–6PM (Mon, Closed)




Saturday Gugak Concert is a gugak performance held every Saturday at the National Gugak Center, where you can enjoy performances based on a specific theme of the day. As the center's signature performance, it features a variety of genres, including court music, folk music, dance, and creative gugak, performed by the best musicians of the National Gugak Center. With affordable ticket prices, it’s a popular event not only among foreigners but also within Korea. Monitors placed on the sides of the stage provide additional information about the performance, enhancing your immersion. You can check the program for each specific date on the website, so if you’re interested in a particular performance, it’s a good idea to look it up in advance. Whether lively or melancholic, enjoy the performances that convey the emotions and deep sorrow of the Korean people. Cute pin badges symbolizing the performances held at Saturday Gugak Concert are also available for sale, making them a great souvenir to remember your gugak experience.



Address: 2364 Nambusunhwan-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul




Namwon, located in Jeollabuk-do, is well-known as the home of traditional Korean gugak, embodying the soul and heritage of the country's music. This region is famous for being the setting of two of the five major pansori stories, Chunhyangga and Heungbuga. At the Birthplace of Korean Traditional Music, a comprehensive gugak cultural center in Namwon, visitors can experience a range of exhibitions and hands-on activities related to gugak. The exhibition hall offers insight into pansori, including the different singing styles based on the schools, families, and regions, providing a deep understanding of the art form. Additionally, you can see various traditional musical instruments and even try playing them, or create your own gugak instrument. Beyond the exhibits, visitors can also explore the birthplace of Song Heung-rok, known as the king of pansori, and the burial site of various gugak musicians. Highly regarded as the best place to learn about the history and significance of gugak, this destination is a must-visit for anyone interested in traditional Korean music.



Address: 69 Bijeon-gil Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do

Work: 9AM–6PM (Mon, Closed)



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