Pansori Masters Jeong Sun-im and Lee Nan-cho Become Holders of Heungboga

Pansori master Inancho

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 14th that it plans to recognize Jeong Sun-im (78) and Lee Nan-cho (59) as holders of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Pansori Heungboga.

Heungboga is one of the five main pansori works, along with Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Sugungga, and Jeokbyeokga. It tells the story of Heungbo fixing a swallow's broken leg and planting the gourd seeds the swallow brought, which leads to becoming wealthy. It is characterized by the singer's witty storytelling and humor. Not only must the singer have good vocal skills, but they must also be proficient in aniri (spoken narration) and neoreumsae (gestures and movements).

The holder of Heungboga was Park Song-hee (real name Park Jeong-hee), who passed away in 2017, leaving the position vacant. Jeong Sun-im learned pansori from her mother, the renowned pansori master the late Jang Wol-jung-seon, during her childhood. She inherited Heungboga from Park Song-hee, the former holder, and was recognized as the holder of Gyeongsangbuk-do Intangible Cultural Heritage Pansori Heungboga in 2007. The Cultural Heritage Administration explained, "Her vocalization is well-balanced, and her singing ability is outstanding. She has also been evaluated as excellent in transmission activities and teaching skills."

Lee Nan-cho comes from a family of Honam artists. She learned pansori from the late masters Kim Sang-yong and Kim Heung-nam. She then entered the tutelage of the late Kang Do-geun (real name Kang Maeng-geun), a former holder of Heungboga, in 1980 and acquired Heungboga. The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "She employs a stable singing method and has trained many disciples mainly in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do."

Pansori master Jeong Sun-im

Both Jeong and Lee inherited the Dongpyeonje style of Heungboga, characterized by grand and harmonious sounds. Dongpyeonje pansori is a school that follows the style of the late Joseon master Song Heung-rok. The transmission regions include eastern Jeolla provinces such as Unbong, Sunchang, Heungdeok, and Gurye. Due to the natural environment of high mountains and fast-flowing waters, it centers on a solemn tone (a vocalization drawn directly from the abdomen) and a robust ujo mode (a musical mode similar to the style of traditional court music like gagok and sijo). Each song is performed with strong power while controlling emotions.

The Cultural Heritage Administration will gather opinions from various sectors, review them, and finalize the recognition of holders through the Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee. An official stated, "We plan to continue recognizing holders in other pansori works and percussionist fields by next year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.