| Description |
[Inscribed in 2010 (5.COM) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity]
In Korean music, jeongga (translated as ‘right song’) refers to vocal music that falls under jeongak (translated as ‘right music’). Gagok, gasa, and sijo are examples of jeongga, which were sung by the members of the high society for character development. Unlike other forms of jeongga, gagok is sung to the accompaniment of orchestral instruments, such as geomungo (six-string zither), daegeum (large transverse bamboo flute), gayageum (twelve-string zither), and piri (small double-reed instrument). Gagok is highly esteemed for its musical and artistic perfection. Gagok complies with the definition of the intangible cultural heritage within the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, as ‘practices,representations, expressions, knowledge [and] skills… that communities, groups, and… individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage’. Gagok fits within the domain of ‘performing arts’.
Traditional gagok is an original art form that has been sung by the Korean people for a long time, and is distinct from Western vocal music. Gagok is vocal music that was popular in the high society of the Joseon Dynasty (A.D. 1392-1897). Gagok is composed of twenty-six namchang, or songs for men, and fifteen yeochang, or songs for women. Thus, gagok features both masculine and feminine qualities. All notes in namchang are sung in geotsori, a strong voice resonating within the body. On the other hand, yeochang uses geotsori and soksori, a highpitched, thin voice.
Gagok is composed in ujo, a key that is solemn and peaceful, or gyemyeonjo, which is melancholy. Gagok is played in either 16-beat or 10-beat rhythm. Accompaniment is typically comprised of orchestral instruments such as geomungo (six-string zither), gayageum (12-string zither), sepiri (small double-reed instrument), daegeum (transverse flute), haegeum (fiddle-like instrument), and janggu (hourglass drum). Yanggeum (hammered dulcimer) and danso (bamboo flute) are sometimes included in the accompaniment.
Gagok has been preserved without transmutation for a long time, and it continues to be transmitted through the hands of master musicians. Gagok is intangible cultural heritage of great historical and artistic value. |
| Social and cultural significance |
Gagok transcends simple recreational culture. It is highly esteemed as cultural heritage of the Korean people that represents the collective identity.
Gagok was popular within the high society of each region, and it was spread throughout the country. The long history of gagok’s transmission is valued greatly by the Korean people. Gagok serves a true symbolic function, representing the identity of the Korean people.
Modernization and industrialization have caused society to become complex and multifarious. These changes have forced many examples of historical high culture into extinction. Despite these changes, gagok practitioners have preserved the aesthetic and philosophy of the traditional high society. They have continued their tenacious efforts to transform the art into popular culture that can be enjoyed by everyone today. Practitioners, their communities, and related organizations are engaged in various demonstrations and promotion activities in order to increase recognition of gagok. They are also involved in special gagok classes at schools, and educational programs, including weekly gagok demonstrations. These efforts aim to preserve the socio-cultural function of gagok, which is to promote a sense of pride and identity in the Korean people.
Gagok uses music as a medium for the expression of human nature. Gagok contains universal truth and can be communicated to other cultural bodies as a form of human expression. On the other hand, gagok has unique characteristics distinguishable from any other type of music in the world. Gagok songs were an interpretation of the nature and the era, with the specific cultural background of the Joseon Dynasty’s high society. Gagok contains qualities of both universal and original culture.
Acquiring the skill of gagok takes much time and effort. The songs in gagok are composed of refined melodies. Gagok’s elegance is expressed through extreme restriction. Through gagok, one can peek at the history, the soul and the aesthetic of the people, the mentality of the generations, and their philosophy on nature.
Gagok began in the noble class culture. Its namchang and yeochang songs have evolved into songs that can be widely enjoyed by performers and listeners alike. The history of gagok is exemplary for various areas of art.
Gagok developed within the specific setting of the high society of the Joseon Dynasy. Conversely, it sings about universal human nature. In this way, gagok contains both universal and unique qualities.
Gagok is a window into the history, recreation, and natural philosophy of the Korean people. It is an intangible cultural heritage that has evolved out of high-class culture into a music enjoyed by all. |
| Transmission method |
In the past, gagok was sung predominantly by members of the high society. It has since evolved into popular music enjoyed by everyone. This change was fueled by the passion and efforts of the skill holders and their local communities, under the systematic protection of the Korean government. Gagok has been transmitted under national protection since November 10, 1969, when it was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Heritage. Currently, three skill holders,
Kim Gyung-bae of namchang, and Kim Young-gi and Jo Sun-ja of yeochang, are continuing the tradition of gagok. They are not only committed to spreading the beauty of gagok, but are also creating a strong foothold for the future by training new talent. Such efforts by the skill holders and the government have contributed to gagok becoming a cultural heritage beloved by all Korean people. The Korean government, the skill holders and the Korean people have great
pride in gagok, and continue to make faithful efforts in the transmission of gagok’s beauty, without violation of any existing international human rights agreement.
Gagok, and its artistic and symbolic value, have been preserved and transmitted by practitioners through local heritage training centers. Practitioners, their communities, and related organizations are engaged in various demonstrations and promotion activities in order to increase recognition of gagok. They are also involved in special gagok classes at schools, and educational programs, including weekly gagok demonstrations. The transmission activities instill pride in the local communities, and this pride motivates the practitioners to pass on the skill. |
| Community |
Gagok Inheritance Center
- Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
- Practitioners
Skill holders:
Yeochang (female voice): Kim Young-gi, Jo Sun-jan Namchang (male voice): Kim Gyung-bae
Heritage trainers:
Namchang: Lee Dong-kyu, Lee Ok-yu |
| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2010 |
