Court Music of Korea (Gugak)
I. Objectives:
1. Differentiate the types of Gugak
2. Arrange the types of Gugak according to their musical characteristics
3. Perform a selected type of Gugak using DIY instruments found inside the house through
video-based performance
II. Topic: Court Music of Korea (Gugak)
III. Learner's Activities
A. Gugak translates to “National music". It is a sophisticated and formal type of music that
was performed in ancient Korea's royal courts. It originated during the Joseon Dynasty
(1392–1897).
• Before you start, watch this video:
https://youtu.be/ljtmhYoQQHo?si=NrOy3CW4i43D7r1R
• Make a short reflection about the video based on these guide questions:
1. What do you think is happening in the video?
2. What are the characteristics of the music being played?
3. Where do you think this type of music is being played during?
B. Types of Gugak
(a) Aak
- Translates to “Elegant music“
- Brought to Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty (about the 12th century)
- Derived from ancient Chinese court music (Yayue)
* Aak was performed during:
- Jongmyo Jerye – aka royal ancestral shrine rituals, where the souls of
kings and queens who have passed away are honored by the ancient
Korea.
- Munmyo Jerye – aka Confucian Shrine Rites, where Confucian scholars
and sages were honored by the ancient Koreans.
- State Ceremonies - such as coronations or important diplomatic events in
ancient Korea.
• Watch the examples of Aak:
1. https://youtu.be/AzPMroROoNo?si=cZAQ5Ka0pzfTT0l5
2. https://youtu.be/adcGeuTMmBA?si=LUwb4T3mwXQ2_Joe
(b) Dangak
- Translates to "Tang music," refers to the Chinese Tang Dynasty.
- Originated in Chinese court music and eventually adapted and localized in
Korea.
* Dangak was performed during:
- National celebrations and festivals
- Royal banquets and receptions
- Ceremonies welcoming foreign envoys
• Watch the examples of Dangak:
1. https://youtu.be/B51w2P596cA?si=8PUIKLLRTA_Ce4jE
2. https://youtu.be/0_xlwrvDrJg?si=H_Qn-XQjW3h-qyen
(c) Hyangak
- Translates to "Native music" or "Indigenous music."
- Traditional Korean music that originated in Korea.
- The Korean people's traditions, sentiments, and natural rhythms are all
reflected in Hyangak.
* Hyangak was performed during:
- State ceremonies and festive occasions that did not strictly follow
Confucian rituals
- Royal court for Emperors' and nobles' banquets and celebrations
- Court dances
- Guest entertainment and diplomatic events
• Watch the examples of Hyangak:
1. https://youtu.be/ia9td1_jQ8I?si=dvsfXxZTwfwhWiHE
2. https://youtu.be/4thupu1YDiI?si=ry4llmZWuOYQSV4F
• Make a Reflection paper based on these guide questions:
1. What are the differences between the Aak, Dangak, and Hyangak court music?
2. How did court music influence the cultural practices within royal courts of Korea?
3. In what ways does studying about Korean court music change your perception of
Korean traditions and history?
• Now, you may take a short quiz: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSev-
gU94ry_R38F5YT48SPKrV_AxUzHY81FQfGEaANuD9rwzA/viewform?usp=publish-
editor
• For the performance task, choose a type of Gugak that you want to perform, and create a
video presentation of the rendition of the chosen type of Gugak using DIY instruments
found inside your house. Pass the video in our class google drive folder along with the
reflection paper.
How did you find this lesson? Share your comments below in this blog. Send a reply to any co-
Learners.
References:
• 옛드 : MBC 옛날 드라마. (2012). 명품사극 [대장금] Jewel in the palace
갑자사화의 연루자로 끌려가는 천수. [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://youtu.be/ljtmhYoQQHo?si=NrOy3CW4i43D7r1R
• Dbadagna. (2013). Munmyo Jeryeak 문묘제례악 (Confucian Shrine Music) of South
Korea. [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://youtu.be/adcGeuTMmBA?si=LUwb4T3mwXQ2_Joe
• Jeongup. (2019). Sujecheon, traditional korean music for healing. YouTube Video].
In YouTube. https://youtu.be/4thupu1YDiI?si=ry4llmZWuOYQSV4F
• National Gugak Center. (2020). [Daily Gugak] Day 10 – "Jongmyo Jeryeak", Royal
Ancestral Shrine Ritual Music and Dance of Korea [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://youtu.be/AzPMroROoNo?si=cZAQ5Ka0pzfTT0l5
• National Gugak Center. (2016). 국립국악원 추천 음악 - 찰현악기끼리 다 해버린
쇼킹한 "낙양춘". [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://youtu.be/B51w2P596cA?si=8PUIKLLRTA_Ce4jE
• National Gugak Center. (2015). 국립국악원 토요명품공연[2014.08.02.]
낙양춘(Nagyangchun). [YouTube Video]. In YouTube.
https://youtu.be/0_xlwrvDrJg?si=H_Qn-XQjW3h-qyen
• National Gugak Center. (2020). [Daily Gugak] Day 4 - “Sujecheon”. [YouTube Video].
In YouTube. https://youtu.be/ia9td1_jQ8I?si=dvsfXxZTwfwhWiHE
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