Choi Chang-nam, Honorary Holder of Seonsori Santaryeong, Passes Away

Traditional Practice Since 1972, Recognized Holder in 2009

Choi Chang-nam, Honorary Holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Seonsori Santaryeong,' passed away on the 26th due to old age at the age of 87.

He learned Gyeong and Seodo styles of singing from Lee Chang-bae (1916?1983) and Jeong Deuk-man (1907?1992), who were holders of Seonsori Santaryeong since 1955. Seonsori Santaryeong is a type of japga (folk song) that praises the scenery of Sancheong in the Gyeonggi and Seodo regions. It is named 'Seonsori' because several singers stand in a row to sing together. The leader of the Seonsori group, called Mogabi, who carries the janggu (hourglass drum), leads the front singing, while several singers holding sogo (small drums) perform gestures and respond with back singing. It was designated as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in April 1968.

Since 1972, he was active as a transmitter of the Seonsori Santaryeong Preservation Society and appeared on various stages. After being a scholarship student for transmission (1974) and a certified practitioner (1976), he was selected as an assistant instructor in 1985. He served as the director of the Gyeonggi Folk Song Training Center and as a director of the Korean Gugak Association, widely promoting the cultural value of Seonsori Santaryeong. Recognized for his continuous transmission activities, he was acknowledged as a holder of Seonsori Santaryeong in 2009 and became an honorary holder last year.

The funeral will be held on the 28th at 11:30 a.m., and the burial site is Pyeongon Forest in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province.

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