sogak kasa

Korean literature

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July 19, 2026

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The term "sogak kasa" refers to popular song texts that were sung at court during the later Koryeo period (12th century to 1392). These songs are part of a literary genre that emerged during this time and were often reworkings of folk songs.1

Key themes in "sogak kasa" include:
* Love between men and women
* The wanderer's hopes and the intellectual's despair
* Traditions of the Three Kingdoms period

While some songs dealt with historical themes, the majority focused on personal and emotional experiences. The "sogak kasa" genre contributed to the development of later Korean poetic forms like "sijo" and "kasa".1

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Korean literature
Later Koryŏ: 12th century to 1392
The sogak kasa, or popular song texts, introduced in the chapters on music in the Koryŏ sa (“History of Koryŏ”) and handed down in the Akchang kasa (“Collection of Courtly Songs”), are another late Koryŏ genre. These songs were sung at court. Among them are songs…
Read More
The sogak kasa, or popular song texts, introduced in the chapters on music in the Koryŏ sa (“History of Koryŏ”) and handed down in the Akchang kasa (“Collection of Courtly Songs”), are another late Koryŏ genre. These songs were sung at court. Among them are songs…
Read More