Master Singer An Sook-sun Recognized as National Intangible Cultural Asset for Pansori Chunhyangga

"Excellent in transmission ability, environment, and contribution to transmission activities"
Qualification as Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang holder revoked

Korean traditional musician Ahn Sook-sun (73) has become a holder of the Pansori National Intangible Cultural Heritage. On the 6th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that it recognized Ahn as the holder of Pansori (Chunhyangga) while revoking her status as the holder of Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang. The Cultural Heritage Administration stipulates that one holder cannot be recognized for multiple categories simultaneously to ensure the stability of the national intangible cultural heritage transmission system.

Ahn is a key figure who brought gugak (Korean traditional music) closer to the public. She made sounds, which were once considered just a part of surrounding culture, familiar and widely spread, quickly rising to stardom. She also played a leading role in the globalization of gugak. In 1998, she received the Arts and Culture Medal from the French Ministry of Culture, and in 2003, she performed all five pansori madangs at the Lincoln Center Festival in the United States. In 2004, as part of the 59th anniversary of Liberation Day, she toured Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, conveying the emotion of our traditional sounds. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "The recognition survey showed outstanding transmission ability, environment, and contribution to teaching activities."

Born in Namwon, Jeonbuk Province, Ahn learned Pansori (Chunhyangga) from the late Kim Soon-ok (1917?1995), a former holder. She joined the National Changgeuk Company in 1979, taking on leading roles, and in 1986, she completed all five pansori madangs (Chunhyangga, Heungboga, Simcheongga, Sugungga, Jeokbyeokga). After becoming the holder of Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang in 1997, following her master Park Gwi-hee (1921?1993), she has been active in various roles such as director of the National Changgeuk Company, professor of vocal music at the School of Traditional Arts at Korea National University of Arts, and artistic director of the National Gugak Center's Folk Orchestra.