with Dr. Chan E. Park
Associate Professor of Korean Language,
Literature and Performance Studies
Ohio State University

As part of The Korea Society's ongoing lecture & demonstration series, Dr. Chan E. Park will share her insights into the distinctive aspects of Korea's musical and narrative heritage with special attention to p'ansori, a form of story-singing. The exact origins of Korea's p'ansori tradition are unclear, but it's thought to have sprung from indigenous shaman chants. P'ansori proliferated throughout the nineteenth century, and in the 1960s was designated by the Korean government as an official intangible cultural treasure. In 2003 the art form was recognized by UNESCO.

Content and Format

In her lecture, Park examines the social, aesthetic and performative existence of traditional music in contemporary Korea, giving special attention to the p'ansori story-singing tradition. To a discerning ear p'ansori is a living tradition capable of bridging the past and the present, its narrative reality waiting to be unraveled. The 90-minute program includes a lecture and demonstration followed by a question and answer period. With advance request, a hands-on p'ansori mini-workshop can be arranged.