Authentic Artifact #1

Whenever I have embarked on learning a new language, songs have always been helpful. The rhymes, rhythm, and melodies make using the language much easier, especially with regard to pronunciation and intonation (to an extent), so I was delighted to discover the traditional Korean musical storytelling form known as Pansori/판소리. Pansori is a unique musical genre that combines storytelling and singing, accompanied by a single drum, the buk, which is an essential instrument in Korean culture––I’ve been fortunate enough to have taken some classes on buk––making this connection all the more rewarding. The performer, or 'sorikkun', narrates a story through song, employing a wide range of dramatic vocal expressions and gestures for an entertaining performance. Traditionally, Pansori performances could last for several hours, with some stories extending over multiple days. However, modern performances are often condensed to suit contemporary audiences. The repertoire of Pansori traditionally consisted of twelve madang (story cycles), but only five remain today: 'Chunhyangga', 'Simcheongga', 'Heungbuga', 'Jeokbyeokga', and 'Sugungga'. Each of these stories has its own unique characters, plotlines, and moral lessons, often reflecting the societal values and norms of the times. The origins of Pansori date back to the 17th century, during the Joseon Dynasty, and it is believed to have developed from a combination of shamanistic songs, folk music, and the narrative traditions of the Korean peninsula. Initially, Pansori was a form of entertainment among the common folk and was often performed in open marketplaces, village gatherings, and at festive events. Over time, it evolved, incorporating elements of Confucian ideals and classical literature, which allowed it to gain popularity among the aristocratic classes as well––until it became an indelible aspect of Joseon dynasty Korea as perhaps the most popular form of mass entertainment.

My journey into Pansori began with the epic of 'Chunhyangga', one of the five surviving Pansori stories. 'Chunhyangga' narrates the story of the undying love between Seong Chunhyang and Lee Mongryong against the backdrop of the strict social structures of the Joseon Dynasty––and I discovered this while on a trip to Korea where a local group was performing. Although I wasn’t able to see it live on the trip, there are recordings on YouTube that show these performances in high quality. Listening to this, I was fascinated by a world where emotions were conveyed not just through words but through the soulful, sometimes guttural, and often melodic sounds of the human voice––making following the vocabulary an enjoyable task. The story, laden with themes of loyalty, love, and societal norms, was quite easy to get invested in, so if anyone has about 5 minutes to spare, it’s an interesting extant piece of Korean tradition.

Pansori, to me, is more than an artifact; it’s a living, breathing embodiment of Korean heritage; even if quite simple in form, but perhaps the simplicity is what has kept it so abiding. Its proclivity to use rich, emotional language taught me some new vocabulary, as well, hopefully making for more felicitous word choices in my conversations whenever I describe emotions. 

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Comments

  • I love how connected you are with Pansori, I had not heard of Pansori before your Post. It sounds like it is enhancing your understanding of the Korean Language. Do you plan to explore more of the Pansori stories? It sounds like it could enhance your knowledge, I might try to learn some myself! 

  • I was also delighted to learn about Pansori through your discussion post. It was interesting to read about the history, culture, and usage of the genre, maybe one day I'll go to a pansori concert

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