Pansori: Storytelling in the Song

Writer: Ashna Susan Varkey, Delhi

Editor: Tahoora Charfare, Yanbu, Saudi Arabia

Pansori is the Korean genre of musical storytelling, which was treasured by the elite back in the 19th century. UNESCO recognized pansori as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003. You might be wondering what is the meaning of Pansori? Well, Pansori comes from the Korean words pan (Hangul: 판), meaning plate, and sori (Hangul: 소리), which means sound. Also, the Korean words pan may mean “a place where many people gather” and sori means song.

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What is Korean Pansori?

This music genre was primarily performed for the lower class in the 17th century. But, by the 19th century, the music got so popular that it was considered appealing to the upper class. It became a popular form of entertainment which was performed by a standing singer and a drummer wearing a traditional Hanbok. Now before getting into Pansori, we need to understand a little bit about Korean voice. Korean music is varied and complex, as any classical music genre is. There are seven unique voices or types of Korean Folk Music.

These are – Pansori, Pungmul, Sanjo, Jeongak, Nongak, Shinawi and Salpori. Each one is unique in its melodic modes and instrumentation. A personal suggestion, for someone who has not heard any traditional Korean music, is to check out Arirang which is considered as the Anthem of Korea. It will give you a head start into the world of Korean folk music. 

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Pansori has seen its ups and downs. From the decline of its influence due to Japanese censorship in the 20th Century, Pansori has seen a resurgence in the 21st century, with combinations with other genres like Pansori-reggae and Pansori-rap. Pansori is an intangible cultural property of Korea. This music style was often related to Shamanism back in the 17th century. In Pansori, there were 12 song cycles or Madang, out of which only five are performed now. 

Chunhyangga

Chunhyangga is the first musical story which is also the most famous and also the longest. Chunhyangga tells the story of love between Chunhyang (춘향), the daughter of a Gisaeng entertainer, and Yi Mongryong (이 몽룡), the son of a magistrate. After the two are illegally married, Mongryong goes to Seoul and a corrupt local magistrate, Byeon the vicious (변학도), attempts to force Chunhyang to be his concubine.

This story is of great importance because it talks about the class system and human freedom. More than love, it talks about truth and equality. The vocals in Pansori are supported by drums. This particular piece of Madang is of great importance as its music techniques, melodies and stories are historically and musically valuable. 

Simcheongga

Simcheongga is the most tragic Pansori of all time and one of the five surviving ones. It is a five-act story of Simcheong and her father, Sim Hak-gyu, whom people call Sim-Bongsa (Sim the Blind). Now, this was an extremely sad and tragic story that was usually sung in a low and gloomy tone. The story focuses on a loop of happiness and sadness.

Heungbo-ga

Heungbo-ga is the third surviving Pansori which is focused on humour and is very light-hearted. Good-hearted Heungbu, our protagonist, cares for a swallow’s broken leg, and the story is about how the swallow repays Heungbu’s kindness. The music is very light-hearted and easy to deliver. It teaches one about generosity, greed, and kindness. 

Heungbo-ga is also called Bak taryung (Gourd Song). The swallow brings a gourd seed to Heungbu, who plants the seed. The gourd yields fruit containing treasure. Upon hearing this, Heungbu’s older brother, the nasty and greedy Nolbu, becomes jealous, and he breaks a swallow’s leg intentionally. After that Nolbu, too, gets a gourd seed; however this time the fruit contains goblins.

Sugung-ga

Sugung-ga is a satirical comedy consisting of the personification of animals. It is based on the Rabbit liver story. The story is funny and with a lesson to learn. The theme of this story is the relationship of the subjects to their king. Personally, this one is my favourite. 

Sugungga is based on the story of the Dragon King of the Southern Sea, a terrapin, and a wily rabbit. This story is believed to have stemmed from a tale about a terrapin and a rabbit in the early period of the Silla Dynasty.

Jeokbyeok-ga

Jeokbyeok-ga is the last of the five surviving stories of the Korean pansori storytelling tradition. Jeokbyeokga is a heroic story which is also called the Song of the Red Cliffs. Therefore, the expressions are grand and strong. Female singers rarely sing this because of the same reason. 

The story was inspired by the Chinese historical legend of the Battle of the Red Cliffs, which was contained in a book titled Sanguozhi Yanyi (Romance of the Three Kingdoms).

Rather than performing an entire song cycle or madang, which can take up to 10 hours, nowadays, musicians perform certain sections, highlighting the most popular or important parts of a madang. Pansori performance consists of five musical elements- Jo (melody), jangdon (rhythm), buchimsae (combination of story with music), je (Pansori school), and vocal Production. 

Beyond the pansori tales from the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910), it is present in modern and contemporary Korean literature. Feminist poet Kim Hye-sun’s poem “Remembering the Day I Gave Birth to a Daughter” (1985) is an oral performance in the mode of pansori narrative which helps elucidate how pansori has been received by contemporary authors and how the genre is still relevant.The narrative content of Kim’s poem of childbirth deals with both sorrow and great joy. It includes the expressive qualities of pansori’s melodic modes.

In recent times, creative Pansori has become popular. It is a music form that is also designed for people receiving treatment for depression. It includes self-expressive narration with drumming, and verbal and non-verbal interactions. This was developed by music therapist Kim Hyun-ju. Some famous Pansori singers are Jin Chae-seon, Ahn Sook-sun, and Ko Yeong-yeol.

Some may assume that traditional music is dying away, but that is not true. Many youngsters are studying this art form. There are certain performances that we would like to recommend to our readers. 

If you are a fan of K-dramas and you’ve watched Historical dramas, you may have come across this traditional art. Do let us know in the comment section if you have heard this traditional music and your thoughts about it.