What evidence connects pansori to Korean shamanic songs?

Scholars often identify muga (shamanic songs) as a foundational influence on the development of pansori. The primary evidence for this connection includes:

• Melodic Similarities: There are notable musical parallels between pansori and contemporary shamanic songs, particularly those originating from the Jeolla region of South Korea.1
• Familial and Professional Lineage: Historically, the sons of hereditary shamans—who performed rituals such as the kut—frequently became pansori singers or musicians who accompanied shamanic ceremonies.2
• Evolutionary Theory: It is widely speculated that pansori may have emerged from ancient shamanistic entertainments intended for the gods before the genre gained popularity among the aristocracy.3

While these shamanic roots are significant, scholars also emphasize that pansori was shaped by a variety of other influences, including local literature and broader non-ritual public entertainment traditions known as pannoreum, which incorporated song, narrative, dance, and dramatic gesture.1