Traditional music of Korea
Traditional Korean music spans millennia, from shamanistic rituals to court performances.
Traditional music of Korea, known as gugak (국악; 國樂; lit. 'national music'), encompasses court music, folk music, poetic songs, and religious music used in shamanistic and Buddhist traditions. It has been produced for thousands of years, evolving through the Proto-Three Kingdoms, Three Kingdoms, North and South States, Goryeo, Joseon, and Korean Empire periods, and continuing into the modern day after the division of Korea in 1945.
Little is known about music from the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, though shamanistic rituals involving music at agricultural festivals are believed to have been practiced. Tomb murals and ceramics from this era depict string instruments with complex features, suggesting advanced instrument development. During the Three Kingdoms period, each kingdom favored different instruments: Goguryeo used an oboe called a piri, a lute called a pipa, and a zither called a geomungo, which was reportedly invented by prime minister Wang San-ak based on a Chinese guqin. A painting of the geomungo exists in a tomb in modern-day Jilin Province, China. Surviving Goguryeo songs include "Song of the Turtle" and "Song of Nightingales." Baekje’s only known song is Jeongeupsa, and its music was known to Chinese dynasties; a Baekje musician named Mimaji learned music and dance in China before emigrating to Japan. Silla’s music is represented by the gayageum, an instrument brought by Ureuk from Gaya. After unification, Silla experienced an influx of diverse music, including Tang dynasty influences and Buddhist chant called Beompae, and a royal institute of music was established. During the Goryeo dynasty, music from Song China strongly influenced court music, while Goryeo songs were later recorded in the Akhak gwebeom. The Joseon dynasty saw developments under King Sejong, who worked with musician Park Yeon to create an independent music organ and a Korean-style notation called Jeonganbo. Music and dance held favorable positions in court banquets and among the elite yangban class.
- field
- Traditional music
- nationality
- Korean
- known_for
- Court music, folk music, poetic songs, shamanistic and Buddhist religious music
- period
- Proto-Three Kingdoms (before 57 BCE) to present
- key_instruments
- Geomungo, gayageum, piri, pipa
Lore & Background
Traditional music of Korea encompasses court music, folk songs, poetic genres, and religious music tied to shamanistic and Buddhist practices, with a history spanning thousands of years. Its earliest known forms date to the Proto-Three Kingdoms period, where agricultural festivals featured shamanistic rituals with music, as evidenced by tomb murals and ceramics showing complex string instruments. During the Three Kingdoms era, each kingdom favored distinct instruments: Goguryeo used the oboe-like *piri*, the lute *pipa*, and the zither *geomungo*—the latter invented by Prime Minister Wang San-ak after receiving a Chinese *guqin* as a model. Baekje’s music, known from the sole surviving song *Jeongeupsa*, included harvest festivals and influenced Japanese court music via emigrant performers like Mimaji. Silla’s tradition centered on the *gayageum*, introduced by the musician Ureuk from Gaya, who taught songs and dances to disciples. After unification, Silla absorbed music from Baekje and Goguryeo, expanded *hyangak* (local music), and adopted Tang dynasty influences alongside Buddhist chant *Beompae*. The Goryeo dynasty saw a shift with Song dynasty music shaping court styles, while native Korean-language songs were later recorded in the *Akhak gwebeom*. Joseon-era developments under King Sejong and musician Park Yeon included a new notation system, *Jeonganbo*, and a dedicated music institute, with court music and dance flourishing among the elite *yangban* class.
Reader's Guide
Traditional Korean music (gugak) holds significance as a continuous cultural expression that adapted through political changes, foreign influences, and periods of hardship. During the Goryeo dynasty, music from Song China influenced court music, while native hyangak and Tang-derived dangak coexisted. The Joseon dynasty saw considerable developments under King Sejong, with musician Park Yeon creating Korean-style notation (Jeonganbo) and establishing an independent music organ. Despite losses from wars and Japanese colonization, traditional forms like pansori, sanjo, and namsadang-nori emerged and persisted. Ancestor worship ceremonies (Munmyo jerye and Jongmyo jerye) were revived and performed annually.
Did You Know?
- The geomungo, a zither still used today, was invented by prime minister Wang San-ak after he received a Chinese guqin as a gift and could not play it.
- A painting of the geomungo is found in a tomb in modern-day Jilin Province, China.
- The only surviving song from Baekje is Jeongeupsa.
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