E2024-G002
Gwangju Hyeomnyulsa: The Stage of Korea’s Pansori Masters
Narrative
Gwangju Hyumnyulsa was established in 1912 as a traditional music performance group with the mission of promoting Korean traditional music in the Jeolla-do region. Following the closure of Korea’s first national theater, Hyumnyulsa in Seoul, in 1906, artists dispersed to the provinces to form new performance groups. During this period, approximately 50 notable masters and singers, including Kim Chang-hwan (1855-1937), Kim Chae-man (1865-1911), and Kang Yong-hwan (1865-1938), came together in the Jeolla-do region to form the Kim Chang-hwan Hyumnyulsa. However, after disbanding in 1910, Kim Chae-man’s disciples came together once more to establish Gwangju Hyumnyulsa. This effort was driven by the masters’ desire to sustain their artistic legacy and popularize traditional Korean music. Gwangju Hyumnyulsa made significant contributions to the community by performing traditional music, such as pansori, the Korean epic chant. Disciples of Kim Chae-man, such as Bak Dong-sil (1897-1968) and Bak Hwa-seop (1888-1939), emerged as prominent figures within the group. Alongside other renowned singers, they presented various pansori works, including Chunhyangga (The Story of Chunhyang), offering profound emotional experiences to audiences. Gwangju Hyumnyulsa served as an invaluable platform for artists to showcase their talents and connect with their audiences. Their efforts were instrumental in spreading the allure of pansori and fostering a strengthened sense of unity among the singers. Although Gwangju Hyumnyulsa disbanded around 1920, its artistic accomplishments and spirit of camaraderie remain deeply etched in pansori history. The group is still remembered as a vibrant space for artistic exchange, rooted in the passion of singers dedicated to traditional music.
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