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about korea

arts

art images

The artistic talents of the Korean people are expressed through music, dance and painting, which have evolved over Korea’s 5,000-year history. While in modern times many Western art forms have been introduced and embraced by Korea, its unique arts still flourish, both in their pure forms and in various harmonious combinations with modern genres.

traditional korea music

Gugak (traditional Korean music) shared a cultural background with China and Japan. But despite some superficial similarities, anyone who has heard gugak can tell that it is clearly different from other East Asian music. Korean music has a triple rhythm (three beats per measure), while Chinese and Japanese music have two beats per measure. Gugak can be divided into two types: jeong-ak (music of the upper classes) and minsogak (folk music). Jeong-ak has a slow, solemn, and complicated melody, while minsogak such as nong-ak (farmers’music), pansori (an epic solo song) and shamanistic music is fast and vigorous.

traditional dance

Korea’s traditional dance, like its music, can also be classified into either court dances or folk dances. The slow, gracious movements of the court dances reflect the beauty of moderation and the subdued emotions formed as a result of the strong influence of Confucian philosophy. In contrast, the folk dances, mirroring the life, work and religion of the common people, are exciting and romantic, aptly portraying the free and spontaneous emotions of the Korean people. Some typical folk dances are farmers’ dances, mask dances and shamanistic dances.

traditional painting

Traditional Korean painting is very different from Western painting. Its roots lie in the unique lines and colors of the East. Evidence of early Korean paintings can be found in the royal tombs of the Three Kingdoms period (57 BC­668 AD), which have helped us piece together details about the lifestyles of the time. During the later Goryeo Dynasty, Buddhism reached its peak, leaving many precious Buddhist paintings and images in temples around the country. Confucianism became the political ideology of the Joseon Dynasty (1392­1910) and the upper-class intellectuals who produced much of the art were profoundly influenced by Chinese works. Folk painting, which became popular among the lower classes, was not influenced by any particular school but used free, expressive techniques and bright colors to depict strength, humor and leisure.

pottery

Pottery-making techniques were transmitted from China to Korea over 1,000 years ago, during a period when the arts flourished in which koreans are justifiably proud of. The subtle beauty and unique bluish-green color of the celadon pottery of the Goryeo Dynasty (918­1392) have made it world famous and much sought after by antique dealers. The white porcelain of the Joseon Dynasty (1392­1910) is also renowned. This pottery-making skill was transmitted to Japan at different periods in history, particularly during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, greatly contributing to the development of Japanese art.

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