By Honorary Reporter Sun Jianping from China
Photos = Sun Jianping

The Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai, China, in collaboration with the National Gugak Center of Korea, is presenting through June 12 "The Musical Joys of Korea: Exploring a World of Traditional Music," an exhibition of Korean cultural heritage through traditional music that I visited on March 15.

The exhibition showcases Korea's traditional elements and musical instruments.

At center stage is gugak (traditional music), whose evolution can be traced through displays of traditional instruments like the geomungo (six-string zither) and gayageum (12-string zither), along with authentic attire and historical artifacts.

A highlight is "Imin Jinyeon Dobyeong," a 10-panel screen from 1902 that marked the 40th anniversary of Emperor Gojong's reign and his 51st birthday banquet at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul. The screen displays the royal court's traditional music, dance and attire. 

Interactive zones offer hands-on experiences with gugak. Guests can try folk melodies like "Jasmine Flower" and "Arirang," play traditional musical games and strum instruments of samulnori (traditional percussion) including the buk (barrel drum), janggu (hourglass-shaped drum), jing (gong) and kkwaenggwari (small gong).

On top is a performance of the royal court dance chunaengmu and on the bottom is the fusion gugak ensemble Hammer blending modern and traditional instruments.

The exhibition's opening featured "Ancient Melodies, Modern Echoes: A Journey Through Korean Traditional Music" by gugak ensemble Hammer. Fusing tradition with innovation, other shows included the graceful chunaengmu (royal court dance) and compositions combining traditional instruments with modern ones like the guitar and percussion.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.