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Why did pansori become popular among Korea’s upper classes during the 19th century?
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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.
During the 19th century, pansori transitioned from a commoner’s entertainment to a popular art form among Korea’s upper classes due to deliberate efforts by performers and enthusiasts to refine the genre for elite tastes.1
Key factors in this shift included:
- Strategic Adaptation: During the early 19th century, myeongchang (great singers) intentionally employed vocal techniques and melodies designed to appeal to the aristocracy, while simultaneously broadening the genre's musical vocabulary by incorporating regional folk tunes.1
- Literary Refinement: The middle-class enthusiast Shin Jae-Hyo played a pivotal role by compiling and recasting narrative songs into styles better suited to upper-class sensibilities. He also composed new repertoire, which helped elevate the genre's status.1
- Professionalization: Through these efforts, pansori evolved into a sophisticated form of theatrical and professional performance. This development eventually captured the attention of the Joseon dynasty royal household, leading to many singers becoming associated with the court.1
By the late 19th century, these transformations had successfully established pansori as a respected genre across different social strata.1