The Voice of “Han”
By Jonathan Joseph Chiarella
While South Jeolla has produced baduk (aka weiqi, igo) legends seen in the news so much lately, North and South Jeolla have also been the birthplace or adopted home of the legends of pansori, a traditional Korean performance that can be thought of an emotional somber musical play performed by singer (traditionally female) and percussionist (traditionally male). Jindo, specifically, is the birthplace of Lee Im-rye a pansori singer. While the drums and singers are tangible, the practice of pansori itself is listed as Korea’s 5th Important Intangible Cultural Asset and Lee became Gwangju’s Important Cultural Property #15 in 1987. Her story even formed the basis for a TV drama in 1994.
After a few years in Seoul, Lee adopted Gwangju as her home, where she performs at the Gwangju Traditional Culture Hall at the foot of Mt. Mudeung, in addition to performances abroad, usually in the USA. She specializes in the Gangsanje style, a branch of the Seopyeonje school born in South Jeolla, the softer and smoother school, as compared to North Jeolla’s Dongpyeonje school, known for is staccato and sharp crescendo. It is the especially lyrical and poetic content and clear enunciation of Gangsanje that drew Lee.
She began her pansori journey at the age of 15 in the 1950s, studying under Lee Byeong-gi in Sunchang for 7 years, but the initiative was on her own. Local schools were not promoting pansori as cultural revival nor was pansori a family legacy. In fact, like several musical and sports masters, it was her dedication and passion that drove her, despite the fierce opposition of her parents to her career choice. In addition to her status as Gwangju cultural asset she has won in industry awards ceremonies locally (1969, 1990) and nationally (1984, 1993) and a presidential award (1991). In her experience, the sound of pansori has stayed traditional; the changes have been in the lives of pansori players, owing largely to differences in Korean society at large over. Players had to perform and practice all day, everyday to eke out a living. People ended school much younger and set down a certain path in life. Contrasting with her own childhood, everyone learning pansori now enjoys a full high school education.
Much like Western operas, all the music is performed live and the songs are long and narrative. Key differences in the performance are that while the drummer or drum may switch out in a single pansori, the singer continues in a long solo single act. Qualitatively, the songs are somber and tragic, unlike the classical Greek division of comedies and tragedies, and the music is far different, of course. The theme of sorrow (“han”) is a hallmark of the most distinctive Korean arts. Wiith pansori being no exception, Jeolla has produced the most performers and the four main schools. Lee believes the reason is due to Jeolla’s history as a site of national neglect and repression; the area also has a long history as the destination for exiles, willing and unwilling.
What is the best environment, I asked, to hear pansori? Lee recommended not the austere or even majestic and quiet performance halls. The real spirit of pansori is best enjoyed outdoors. Not only the mountainous surroundings of the semi-secluded cultural hall where she works, but also the outdoor festival scene, a large crowd or gathering around a circle. Her reason for choosing pansori is the same as th reason she recommends hearing pansori for non-Koreans, it captures the essence of the Korean spirit in a very distinctive manner.
Lee actively performs and she has also taught classes at Gwangju Performing Arts High School and the provincial university, today conducting traditional one-on-one instruction. While in her own performances she sings as a partner plays the instrument (typically a janggu), she is versatile and will play the opposite role when training pupils.
*****On GIC camera there are photos of Lee Im-rye giving a lesson. You may use one of those. I took those ones. Also see attached image file. Used courtesy of the Gwangju Traditional Culture Hall (i.e. limited copyright grant)