How did government support help revive pansori in the late 20th century?

In the mid-20th century, the traditional Korean musical storytelling art of pansori faced a period of decline, struggling to maintain its audience against the rise of theatrical changgeuk and other modern influences. By the 1960s, the genre was on the verge of complete collapse.1

The South Korean government intervened in 1964 by officially designating pansori as an “intangible cultural asset”. This act of state-sponsored preservation was pivotal in reviving the tradition. Following this declaration, the 1970s saw a significant resurgence in both scholarly research and practical performance interest. This government support helped foster a renewed popular awareness of local identity and traditional arts, which eventually paved the way for broader cultural appreciation and international interest in the genre.12