E2024-G002

Gwangju Hyeomnyulsa: The Stage of Korea’s Pansori Masters

Narrative

Gwangju Hyumnyulsa is a traditional music performance group established in 1912 with the aim of promoting Korean traditional music in the Jeolla-do region. After Korea’s first national theater, Hyupnyulsa in Seoul, closed its doors in 1906, artists dispersed to the provinces to form new performance groups. During this time, in the Jeolla-do region, about 50 notable masters and singers, including Kim Chang-hwan (1855-1937), Kim Chae-man (1865-1911), and Kang Yong-hwan (1865-1938), gathered to form the Kim Chang-hwan Hyumnyulsa. However, after this group disbanded in 1910, Kim Chae-man’s disciples rallied again and established the new group, Gwangju Hyumnyulsa, in 1912. This effort was initiated by the masters’ desire to continue their artistic heritage and popularize traditional Korean music. Gwangju Hyumnyulsa made significant contributions to the community by performing traditional music, such as pansori, or the epic chant of Korea. Kim Chae-man’s disciples, Bak Dong-sil (1897-1968) and Bak Hwa-seop (1888-1939), emerged as prominent figures in the group. Together with other renowned singers, they presented various pansori works, including Chunhyangga (Story of Chunhyang), bringing profound emotional experiences to audiences. Gwangju Hyumnyulsa served as a valuable platform for artists to showcase their talents and connect with audiences. Their efforts played a crucial role in spreading the charm of pansori and strengthening the sense of solidarity among the singers. Although Gwangju Hyumnyulsa disbanded around 1920, the artistic achievements and spirit of camaraderie they fostered remain deeply etched in the history of pansori. The group is still remembered as a space of artistic exchange, born from the passion of singers dedicated to traditional music.

References

type	resource	title	description/caption	URL
해설	디지털광주문화대전	문화수도를 꿈꾸는 국립아시아문화전당		http://aks.ai/GC60005074
해설	국립아시아문화전당	주요사업		https://www.acc.go.kr/main/contents.do?PID=0501
논문	KISS	‘아시아 전통 오케스트라’ 사업의 문화 교류 성과에 대한 고찰 - 아시아문화중심도시 백서를 중심으로		http://kiss.kstudy.com.ssl.openlink.aks.ac.kr:8080/Detail/Ar?key=4031212

Story Map

• 빛고을 광주의 랜드마크 국립아시아문화전당
  • 비극의 현장을 끌어안은 건축, 빛의 숲 국립아시아문화전당
  • 비밀의 화원 국립아시아문화전당
  • 아시아 문화수도를 꿈꾸는 빛고을 광주