Children Who Are Into Traditional Korean Music

“We like things traditional”-

Da-hoon, who looks good in a traditional Korean outfit or Hanbok, has been learning Gukak, traditional Korean music. He used to learn how to perform Gangnyeong talchum (a mask dance that originated in the northeastern district of Gangnyeong) and play the janggu, an hourglass drum, but now he has taken up a Seodo sori (songs sung in the northwestern district of Seodo) class every Saturday. Da-hoon’s sister Eun-ji, a first grader in middle school, has been learning Gukak for six years now.

“My sister started learning Gukak first, but I wanted to be better at it. I’m good at janggu and can play a little bit of danso, a short bamboo flute, at which I’m the best in school.”

Da-hoon’s skills of Gangnyeong talchum are like those of professional dancers, which enable him to perform with professional dancers on stage.

Da-hoon, like other children, was exposed to western music first, but he became more interested in Gukak later.

“Gukak and western music are really different. In Gukak, you can experience charm and ease. I am really into Seodo sori these days. It’s different from the songs from Jeolla Province: It’s dynamic, high-pitched, and vibrant.”

How to teach children Gukak?-

Experts say the most important thing is to let children embrace Gukak naturally. At ages 5 and 6, moves, breathing, rhythm, and children’s songs written in Gukak should be taught in the form of plays. After this period, they can move on to learning sogo, a snare drum or janggu.

Jeong Seong-ja, a professor at the Social Education Center at Myungji University, said, “Learning musical instruments, dance, and sori should all be combined into early education for children instead of focusing on educating them separately. If taught properly, it can have educational value in terms of nurturing children emotionally and musically.”

It is desirable to first begin with the sogo, janggu, buk (drum) and other percussion instruments that are good for honing rhythmic senses. Janggu in particular helps develop both sides of the brain as it requires both hands to play.

Seo Han-beom, a professor of Dankook University, said, “If children learn pansori (traditional Korean narrative songs) during their elementary school years, they can increase their voice volume and pronounce words more clearly. Above all, it lets them learn about their roots and makes them feel more confident about themselves.”

“My children behave better now”

It is not just Gukak Da-hoon has learned. His mother said, “He used to run around while he’s eating his meals. He just couldn’t sit in one place for long. But he’s different now.”

Since Da-hoon learned Gukak, he has become more calm and composed. His mother said that he is more poised and feels better about himself, and acts precocious. He is different in his everyday life, too: he spends less time watching TV and playing computer games, instead he plays instruments. He plays his favorite games only sometimes.

Sori never stops-

Mr. Park, a Da-hoon’s sori master, is someone who “sleeps and eats with Seodo sori.”

He worked in a kitchen during his military service in 1983 and one day he traveled to Seoul to get some ddeok (rice cake). That is when he heard his calling: he had an opportunity to listen to “Living Human Treasure” Kim Jeong-yeon (who died in 1987) singing Sushimga (one of the Korean traditional folk songs).

“I felt chills running down my back listening to the tunes of a frail-looking old woman who was shorter than 5-feet. That’s when I found my destiny.”

In the concert hall of Garyeheon, two rooms were designated for Kim and Lee Eun-gwan (91 years old) who was practicing Baebaengigut (a traditional ritual song).

After Park was discharged, he went to learn from Kim who at that time was seriously ill.

“Why am I practicing Sori? Because that’s my fate and destiny. My master Kim passed away 20 years ago. If I can make choices again, I’ll choose to find that sori again.”

His little protégé played a tune from Baebaengigut.

“That setting sun will rise up again the next morning but you can never come back if you cross the river of no return, yeah… ”

The child’s voice singing a unique Seodo sori is echoing in a small room. He may not know about “han” or bitter feelings of Baebaengi, but that is how our sori is being passed on to the next generation.

dunanworld@donga.com