2019 Korean History and Cultural Seminar for Educators - Handbook 2019 NKS Handbook-0617 | Page 43
Pansori and Korean Dance Performances
Pansori
Pansori is the combined word with “Pan” meaning a place or stage where many people gather, and
“Sori” meaning singing. It is a unique Korean Music genre which is performed by only one singer
(sorikkun or changja) and one drummer (gosu). It is known that Pansori was originated in 17 th century.
At that time, there were twelve Pansori Madangs (Madang means each story / song). Seven has been
missing and only five madangs exist now. They are Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Heungboga,
Sugungga, and Jeokbyeokga. Each madang has the story. Longest Chunhyangga goes for 7-8 hours long
and shortest Heungboga goes for 3 and half hours long. Pansori,' often referred to as Korean one man
opera with one man orchestra, is a type of traditional Korean music which tells a themed story in the
form of music theater. The singer plays the central role through his singing, words, and body language
while the drummer plays an accompanying role by providing the rhythm and shouting words of
encouragement to add to the passion of the performance. With a distinct, inimitable sound, rhythm, and
singing technique, Pansori is truly representative of Korea's unique cultural landscape. UNESCO
proclaimed the pansori tradition a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on
November 7, 2003.
Story of Heungboga : There were two brothers, Nolbu and Heungbo. Nolbu is older and wealthy, with a
wicked heart. The younger brother, Heungbo, is poor but is a kind soul. When Heungbo comes into
fortune by helping a swallow with a broken leg, the envious Nolbu purposely breaks the leg of a
swallow and fixes it before setting it free in the hopes that he will be likewise awarded. The simple
moral kernel of the tale is that kindness is rewarded and wickedness is punished.
Rhythm of Korean Traditional Music
Jinyang is the slowest rhythm in Pansori or Sanjo. It is usually total 24 bits with six bit four measures,
but sometimes four measures are not kept. It is usually used in crying part or describing the solemn
thing.
Jungmori is next to Jinyang. This is the most popular rhythm which is made with 12 bits with four
measures. Each measure has three bits and each bit can be divided into three smaller bits. This is one of
unique Korean traditional philosophy. Speed varies from slow jungmori to fast junmori. Strangely the
accent is on 9 th bit. Jungjungmori is a faster form of Jungmori.
Jajinmori is next to Jungjungmori. But the speed varies. Sometimes it is slow as Jungmori and
sometimes it is faster than Jungjungmori. Four of three bits are getting faster and becoming just four
bits. But the accent is still on 9 th bit.
Eotmori is made with 5 bits. This is used for very light movement or comic scene. with a quick 3 nights
and 2 nights to 10 nights a unique blend of rhythm. Value method is 'The Palace ttaak eonggung guung
ttaak' is. p'ansori , Sanjo and used.
Hwimori is the fastest rhythm literally a whirlwind. It is just two bits music.
Terminologies
Changja: Singer
Gosu: Percussionist
Gwi myeong chang: Audience with enough knowledge of music
Chuimsae: Audience making sound to encourage and agree the singer
Aniri: Narrative portion of Song
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