Korean Folk Music

Korean folk music (minsokak) is the traditional music of the Korean common people, distinct from the ritual and court repertories preserved by the state. Its central forms are pansori, the epic sung narrative delivered by one singer with a single barrel-drum accompanist; sanjo, virtuosic instrumental solo suites for gayageum, geomungo or flute; the sung folk songs called minyo, in regional styles; and pungmul (nongak), the outdoor farmers' band music of drums, gongs and dance. Janggu hourglass drum and jing gong anchor most ensembles, and cyclic rhythms called jangdan organise performance across genres.