P’ansori

By Trina Barber
West Virginia University at Parkersburg opened its Fall Humanities program Tuesday, September 13, with a lecture/demonstration by Dr. Chan Park entitled “Korean Traditional Music Today: P’ansori.”



P’ansori is a traditional Korean music form which combines storytelling, singing and drumming.

During the 19th Century, P’ansori performances were patronized by aristocrats. Most of the performers were uneducated and recruited the help of scholars to revamp the musical’s narratives. The P’ansori tradition continued into the 20th Century when performers took the initiative to continue the programs. Today’s P’ansori is mixed with Western drama, storytelling in English and traditional Korean songs which resemble the sound of Native American chants.

Park began her experimentation in 1974 when a friend asked her to perform P’ansori with her.

“It just felt right. It suited my voice,” she stated. “When I found P’ansori, it was mine.”

Park attended graduate school with WVUP Humanities Division Chair, Dr. Nancy Nanney. Currently Park is an associate professor of Korean language, literature and performance studies at Ohio State University.