Gokseong-gun to Host Gugak Talk Concert

‘The Artistic World of Master Singer Jang Pang-gae’ and Introduction to Gugak Masters

Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Sangcheol Lee) announced that pre-registration for the Gugak talk concert "The Artistic World of Master Jang Pang-gae" will be accepted from the 8th to the 17th at the Gugak Transmission Center.

The performance is free and open to 60 local residents on a first-come, first-served basis, and will be held at the Gokseong Gugak Transmission Center at 2 p.m. on the 25th.

[Image courtesy of Gokseong-gun]

The Gugak concert "The Artistic World of Master Jang Pang-gae" was planned to widely promote the historicity and tradition of Gokseong Gugak and to re-highlight the forgotten Gugak masters of Gokseong.

This talk concert features a special lecture and performance centered on Master Jang Pang-gae (張判介), a representative Gugak master of Gokseong. It aims to widely inform the residents about Jang Pang-gae’s life and artistic world, and includes a performance by Jeong Sun-im, a master singer and holder of the National Intangible Cultural Property No. 5 Pansori "Heungboga," who is his descendant.

Additionally, it will present various traditional Korean sounds such as Gayageum Byeongchang performances of and by master Jeong Gyeong-ok, as well as Namdo folk songs. Furthermore, special appearances by percussionist Jeong Junho, vocalists No Eun-ju and Jeong Hae-yoon, ajaeng player Park Jeong-jin, and daegeum player Im Hye-sook will add fun to the sounds.

A representative from the Gugak Transmission Center said, "This talk concert was planned to provide residents with a precious opportunity to feel pride in Gokseong’s Gugak masters. We ask for continued interest and participation."

Master Jang Pang-gae was a renowned singer active from the reign of King Gojong of the Joseon Dynasty through the Japanese colonial period. He received the four pansori repertoires from National Master Song Man-gap (宋萬甲), and King Gojong was so moved by his performance of 'Jeokbyeokga' that he awarded him the title of Hye-ryeong Chambong.

His descendants, including Jang Young-chan and Jang Wol-jungseon, also continued the family’s reputation as Gugak artists. In 2007, his family was designated as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s "No. 1 Traditional Arts Pansori House."

Gokseong = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Cha Jong-seon hss79@asiae.co.kr