Current Creative Trends and Academic Challenges of Pansori

Artistic advancement can be achieved by focusing on and expanding upon each element. In the case of pansori, this transformation is achieved by focusing on and expanding upon one of three elements: narrative, music, and gesture. First, although narrative-centered creative pansori is a variation of the original story, the traditional stage format remains unchanged. Recently, some have introduced modern instruments in place of the drum, borrowed traditional rhythms not found in traditional pansori, created new rhythms, or incorporated pop-style songs. Second, focusing on the musical elements allows for the arrangement and singing of traditional pansori, that is, the creation of new works. These works are sometimes recorded and may be categorized as “music-centered creative pansori.” By integrating the vocal and melodic elements of pansori, they enable the audience to enjoy the music. This category also includes gestural expressions conveyed through the singer's movements, and facial expressions. Singers convey stories through songs, change characters, or assume the roles of speakers,utilizing facial expressions and vocalizations that are appropriate to their role. Third, a theatrical workcan be created through an emphasis on gesture. Works with a dramatic orientation that expand upon theatrical elements, such as the singer’s gestures, which were somewhat restrained in traditional pansori, can be called “theatrical creative pansori.” In this case, two or more singers perform works that maximizefacial expressions, gestures, and various activities. However, rather than simply strictly distinguishing roles, a single singer often assumes multiple roles, thereby establishing a genre identity. Alternatively, multiple singers may alternate roles. Furthermore, unlike changgeuk, a fan-wielding singer alternates between playing aniri and chang on an empty stage, enabling the audience to imagine the scene. To truly appreciate a traditional art form like pansori as a contemporary art form, we must transcend the exhibitionist framework of the past and embrace its everyday functions. This requires a consciousness that captures and reveals aspects of our everyday lives. Furthermore, fully utilizing the mechanisms of pansori can further enhance its artistry. The “contrasting structure of narrative and music” and “contrasting aesthetics,” characteristic of oral tradition, can be realized by emphasizing the vitality of sound. Scholars should devote academic attention to this creative flow in pansori, establish a theoretical foundation, and propose acceptable boundaries and standards for its evolution.