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How is pansori performed by a singer and drummer?
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pansori
Learn about the Korean buk (double-headed barrel drum) by watching and listening to a man play the type of buk that accompanies pansori narrative singing.
Pansori is a traditional Korean narrative genre performed by a singer-narrator, known as a kwangdae, and a drummer, called a kosu.12
The performance is characterized by the following elements:
- Vocalist's Role: The singer tells an epic story using a combination of chang (song), aniri (spoken narration and dialogue), and ballim (dramatic gestures). The performer typically holds a fan to enhance their storytelling.12
- Drummer's Role: The drummer provides the rhythmic setting using a buk (double-headed barrel drum). Beyond marking phrases with rhythmic patterns, the drummer provides vocal interjections known as ch’uimsae.12
- Interaction: A significant feature of the genre is the improvised interaction between the singer and the drummer throughout the performance, which can unfold over several hours.12
Originally performed in open spaces like markets and public squares, this folk tradition has been preserved and revived through government support and modern media adaptations.12