Korean traditional music, known as Gugak (국악), is more than just sound—it’s a living expression of Korea’s spirit, history, and identity. Deeply rooted in nature and philosophy, Gugak brings together elegant melodies, powerful rhythms, and storytelling that dates back centuries.
In this post, we’ll explore the beautiful world of Korean traditional instruments (국악기), many of which are still used in performances today. They are typically grouped into three categories: string, wind, and percussion instruments.
String Instruments (현악기)
These instruments often use silk strings and wooden bodies, producing soft, expressive tones.
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Gayageum (가야금) – A 12-string (or modern 25-string) zither with a sweet, gentle sound. It's often compared to the Japanese koto or Chinese guzheng.
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Geomungo (거문고) – A 6-string plucked zither with a deeper, more resonant tone than the gayageum. Played with a bamboo stick called a suldae.
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Haegeum (해금) – A two-string vertical fiddle, played with a bow. Its tone resembles the human voice—often described as both sorrowful and elegant.
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Ajaeng (아쟁) – A large bowed zither with a raspy, low timbre. It gives depth and emotion to court and folk music.
Wind Instruments (관악기)
Crafted mainly from bamboo, wind instruments bring air and life to Korean melodies.
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Daegeum (대금) – A large bamboo flute with a buzzing membrane that gives a deep, airy sound.
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Sogeum (소금) – A small transverse flute, high-pitched and bright.
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Piri (피리) – A cylindrical bamboo oboe with a nasal, vibrant tone. Loud and attention-grabbing.
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Taepyeongso (태평소) – A conical oboe-like instrument used in festivals and processions—piercing and festive.
Percussion Instruments (타악기)
These instruments provide rhythm and dynamic energy, essential in dance and vocal music.
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Janggu (장구) – Hourglass drum played on both sides with different sticks. It’s the most versatile and widely used drum in Korean music.
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Buk (북) – A barrel drum with a warm, deep sound. Commonly used in pansori and samulnori.
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Jing (징) – A large flat gong with a deep, echoing tone, often used to mark slow, solemn moments.
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Kkwaenggwari (꽹과리) – A small, handheld gong with a piercing metallic tone. It leads rhythms in folk festivals and dances.
Unique Features of Korean Instruments
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Vibrato (농현) – Expressive bending of notes, often used to convey emotion.
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Natural Materials – Instruments are crafted from bamboo, silk, leather, and wood.
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Philosophical Ties – Many instruments reflect Korean views of nature and balance.
Where You’ll Hear Them
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Gugak (국악) – Korea’s traditional music, covering various genres.
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Pansori (판소리) – Dramatic vocal storytelling with a drum.
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Samulnori (사물놀이) – Percussion quartet of four key instruments.
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Court Music (정악) – Refined ceremonial music of the royal courts.
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Folk Music (민속악) – Vibrant music of the people, used in rituals, dances, and festivities.
Korean traditional music is a universe of its own—ancient yet timeless, spiritual yet powerful. Follow Sounds of Korea to journey deeper into this incredible soundscape. In future posts, we’ll spotlight individual instruments, music genres, and the artists who keep this heritage alive.
Stay tuned!
360º VR Video: Jindo Arirang – National Center for Korean Folk Music
Experience the dynamic and heartfelt sound of Jindo Arirang, one of Korea’s most beloved folk songs, through an immersive 360-degree VR performance presented by the National Center for Korean Folk Music. Let the traditional instruments of Korea surround you in this vivid virtual performance.
To enjoy the full 360-degree experience, click and drag the square icon on the left side of the video screen to move around
Performers:
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Piri(피리) : Heo Jin
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Daegeum(대금) : Park Won-bae
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Haegeum(해금) : Kim Seung-jeong
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Gayageum(가야금) : Jo Ok-seon
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Geomungo(거문고) : Choi Hyeong-uk
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Ajaeng(아쟁) : Kim Hyo-shin
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Janggu(장구) : Kim Seong-ju
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