Performance of Yeomillak (“Joy of the People”) court music composed during the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century

Gugak

Gugak refers to the traditional music and dance of Korea. Although gugak has existed as long as Koreans have lived on the Peninsula, its foundation was established in the early 15th century, when King Sejong reformed royal court music using jeongganbo, Asia’s first notes that could indicate the pitch and length of notes.

King Sejong’s efforts to reform court music led not only to the creation of Korea’s own notation system, but also to the composition of special ritual music, called Jongmyo Jeryeak, to be performed during the royal ancestral ritual (Jongmyo Jerye) in Jongmyo. Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and Yeomillak or “Joy of the People” in 2001. The term gugak was first used by Jangagwon, a government agency responsible for music in late Joseon, to distinguish traditional Korean music from foreign music.

Traditional Korean music is typically divided into several genres: “legitimate music” (called jeongak or jeongga), enjoyed by Joseon royalty and aristocracy; folk music, including pansori, sanjo and japga; jeongjae (court music and dance) performed for the King at celebratory state events; music and dance associated with shamanic and Buddhist traditions, such as salpuri, seungmu, and beompae; and poetic songs beloved by the literary elite, such as gagok and sijo. Among the numerous folk songs, Arirang, which was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012, is especially loved by ordinary people, and many variations with special lyrics and melodies specific to each region exist, such as Miryang, Jeongseon, Jeongseon. and Jindo.

Gugak instruments are similarly diverse. These traditional musical instruments are generally divided into three categories: wind instruments such as piri, daegeum, danso, and taepyeongso; stringed instruments such as gayageum, geomungo, haegeum, ajaeng and bipa; and percussion instruments such as buk, janggu, pyeonjong, pyeongyeong, kkwaenggwari and jing.

Folk Dances

Korean people have inherited a wide variety of folk dances, such as salpurichum (spiritual purification dance), gutchum (shamanic ritual dance), taepyeongmu (peace dance), hallyangchum (idle dance), buchaechum (fan dance), geommu (sword dance). and seungmu (monk’s dance). Of these, talchum (mask dance) and pungmul nori (playing with musical instruments) are known for their satirical targeting of Joseon’s corrupt aristocracy and their close ties to the rural communities that have long formed the basis of Korean culture and tradition. Most performances are presented in a marketplace or fields and involve drumming, dancing and singing, all of which are used to create a very joyful atmosphere.

Buchaechum (Fan Dance)
A traditional Korean dance form usually performed by groups of female dancers

“Myeong-Seon (Meditation with Tea)” by Kim Jeong-hui (pseudonym: Chusa, 1786–1856) (Joseon, 19th century)

Painting and Calligraphy

Painting has been an important form of Korean art since ancient times. Ancient Korean art is represented by the tomb murals of Goguryeo (37-668 BC), which contain valuable clues to the early Korean people’s beliefs about humanity and the universe, as well as their artistic sensibilities and techniques. Their art was influenced by China and spread to Japan. Artists of Goryeo (918-1392) were interested in painting Buddhist icons and left behind some great masterpieces; Joseon’s literary elite, on the other hand, were more interested not only in idealized landscapes but also in the symbolism of plants and animals, such as the Four Nobles. The Lords (Sagunja, i.e. orchid, chrysanthemum, bamboo and plum tree) and the Ten Long-Lived Creatures (Sipjangsaeng), crane, tiger and deer.

In the 18th century, Korea witnessed the arrival of two great artists, Kim Hong-do and Sin Yun-bok; both developed a passionate interest in depicting the daily activities of ordinary people in their work. While Kim Hong-do preferred to depict a kaleidoscope of people in various situations and scenes of daily life, Sin Yun-bok devoted his efforts to capturing erotic moments in works that were surprisingly voyeuristic for the time.

Developed in Korea under Chinese influence, calligraphy is the art of handwriting in which the beauty of the lines and shapes of characters and the energy contained in brushstrokes and subtle tones of ink are appreciated. Although calligraphy is an independent art form, it is closely related to ink and wash painting because these forms use similar techniques and tools (i.e., paper, brush, inkstick, and inkstone), often referred to as the “Four Treasures of the Work.” . Korea has produced many master calligraphers; of these, Kim Jeong-hui (1786-1856) is particularly famous for developing his own style known as Chusache or Chusa Style (Chusa was his nickname). His calligraphy works are still highly appreciated for their extraordinary modern artistic beauty.

“Ssireum (Korean wrestling)” by Kim Hong-do (alias: Danwon, 1745–1806) (Joseon, 18th century)
This type of painting by Kim Hong-do, one of the greatest painters of the late Joseon period, vividly captures a scene of traditional Korean wrestling in which two rival wrestlers are surrounded by pensive spectators.

Pottery

Kiln Site in Gangjin, Jeollanam-do
Remains of ancient kilns can be seen in Gangjin, which was the largest production area of ​​celadon during the Goryeo period.

The Korean pottery that receives the most praise from international collectors these days typically falls into three groups: Cheongja (blue-green celadon), Buncheong (slick-coated stoneware), and Baekja (white porcelain). Celadon refers to Korean stonemasonry, which underwent great development at the hands of Goryeo potters about 700 to 1,000 years ago. Celadon pottery is notable for its attractive jade blue surface and the unique Korean inlay technique used to decorate it. Gangjin of Jeollanam-do and Buan of Jeollabuk-do were the two main producers during the Goryeo period (918-1392).

Between 100 and 600 years ago, white porcelains were the main representation of Korean ceramic art. While some of these porcelain wares have a milky white surface, many are decorated with a wide variety of designs painted with oxidized iron, copper, or the priceless cobalt blue pigment imported from Persia via China. The Joseon Royal Court operated its own bakeries in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, producing products of the highest quality. Advanced techniques used in the production of white porcelain ware were introduced to Japan by Joseon potters who were kidnapped during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese invasion of Korea 1592-1598).

The third major group of Korean pottery is Buncheong pottery, made independently by Goryeo potters 500 to 600 years before the collapse of their kingdom.

Nowadays, traditional works of art such as paintings, calligraphy works, and pottery are widely sold at auctions in galleries and antique shops in Insa-dong, Seoul.

Celadon Jar with Peony Pattern (Goryeo, 12th century) (Left)

Celadon Melon-Shaped Bottle (Goryeo, 12th century)

Buncheong Bottle with Lotus and Vine Pattern (Joseon, 15th century)(Left)

White Porcelain Bottle with Underglaze Iron String Design (Joseon, 16th century)

Crafts

In the past, Korean craftsmen and women developed a wide variety of techniques to produce the items they needed at home. Paying attention to balance and symmetry, they made wooden furniture pieces such as wardrobes, cupboards, and tables, and wove beautiful baskets, boxes, and mats with bamboo, wisteria, or lespedeza. They used Korean mulberry paper to make masks, dolls, and ceremonial ornaments, and decorated various household items with black and red lacquer collected from nature, making them stronger and more beautiful.

They later developed the art of using beautifully painted ox horn strips, iridescent mother-of-pearl and abalone shells to decorate furniture. Embroidery, decorative knot making (maedeup), and natural dyeing were also important elements of traditional Korean arts and crafts, widely used by women to make attractive clothing, household items, and personal fashion ornaments.

Two-Storey Chest(Left)
This durable and practical wooden chest for storing clothes is lavishly decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay design.

women toiletry bags

Naturally dyed fabrics in different colors