Korean History and Culture Seminar for American Educators Handbook 2017 NKS Seminar-Handbook-Final with Daniel | Page 39

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.
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