The National Gugak Center (Korean국립국악원), located in Seoul, South Korea, is the primary institution of learning for Korean traditional music (gugak), including both court music and folk music.[1] It was founded in 1951 through a merger of Korean musical organizations.

The National Gugak Center
The National Gugak Center
Map
Former namesThe National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts
LocationSeocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Coordinates37°28′39.50″N 127°0′3″E / 37.4776389°N 127.00083°E / 37.4776389; 127.00083
TypePerforming arts center
Genre(s)Traditional Korean music (gugak)
OpenedJanuary 19, 1950; 74 years ago (1950-01-19)
Website
gugak.go.kr
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGugrip Gukagwon
McCune–ReischauerKukrip Kugagwŏn

It is dedicated to "preserving and promoting traditional Korean music."[2] Through academic courses, private study, ensembles, research, and performances, it preserves Korea's ancient musical traditions, including the ancient court ritual music called aak as well as the ritual music performed for the Jongmyo (royal ancestral shrine) and the Munmyo (Confucian shrine).

Historical musical organizations

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While Korean court music dates back to the Eumseongseo [ko] music institute of the Silla kingdom in the 7th century, the present National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts is the direct successor to the Jangakwon music institution of the Joseon Dynasty. Jangakwon went through various name changes until 1945:

  • Jangakwon 장악원 掌樂院 (1470)
  • Gyobangsa 교방사 敎坊司 (1897)
  • Jangakgwa 장악과 掌樂課 (1907)
  • Yiwangjik Aakdae 이왕직아악대 李王職雅樂隊 (1910) ("Music Troupe of the Board for the Yi Household"), after the Japanese colonisation
  • Yiwangjik Aakbu 이왕직아악부 李王職雅樂部 (1913) ("Music Department of the Board for the Yi Household")
  • Guwanggung Aakbu 구왕궁아악부 舊王宮雅樂部 (1945) ("Music Department of the Former Royal Household") under the US military government.[3][4]

The Music Department of the Former Royal Household merged with other Korean music organizations in 1951 to form the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (Gugnip Gugakwon 국립국악원 國立國樂院).[3] In 2010 the English name was officially shortened to the National Gugak Center while the Korean name remained unchanged.[1]

Other

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In 2018, the organization added fifty more types of sounds and instruments to their repertoire as the pop song "Idol", which includes some gugak instruments.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Reily, Suzel Ana; Dueck, Jonathan M. (2016). The Oxford Handbook of Music and World Christianities. Oxford University Press. p. 635. ISBN 978-0-19-986000-5. the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (Kungnip kugagwŏn; the English name was in 2010 somewhat myopically changed to the National Gugak Center). [...] [Director] Han was keen to broaden its activities, from its former role as repository of court music to an institute embracing folk music and dance.
  2. ^ "에러페이지 | 국립 국악원". Archived from the original on 2017-03-02.
  3. ^ a b Shinpyeon Hanguksa. National Institute of Korean History. 2002. pp. 127–128.
  4. ^ Song, Bangsong. "Jangakwon".
  5. ^ Kim, Soo-yeong (December 26, 2018). "국립국악원, 국악기 디지털 음원 서비스 확대…"방탄소년단 히트곡 영향"". Naver (in Korean). KBS. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
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