Creative Pansori: A New Korean Approach in Music Therapy.

Abstract

Creative Pansori is a music therapeutic method especially designed for people receiving treatment for depression. Developed by the Korean music therapist Hyunju Kim, Creative Pansori was internationally presented at the World Congress for Music Therapy 2014 in Krems / Austria. Based on elements of the Korean UNESCO cultural heritage “Pansori”, Hyunju Kim created a clinical method integrating the patient’s self-expressive narration, the therapist’s drumming, and specific verbal and non-verbal interactivities.Creative Pansori mirrors the spirit of traditional forms of Pansori which date back to the 17th century and are considered to have their roots in Korean shamanism. This fact raises two crucial questions: How can tradition-based practices be applied in modern clinical, namely psychiatric contexts? And can these methods also be used in a cross-cultural way? As epic biographical practices, therapeutic drumming, and highly nuanced arts-related communication between therapist and patient are important phenomena in various cultures, we assume Creative Pansori to be of possibly cross-cultural music therapeutic value. To verify this hypothesis, however, requires further international and interdisciplinary investigations.Creative Pansori seems to trigger multifaceted psychological and neurobiological processes which facilitate therapeutic coping and cognitive re-organisation. In order to synchronise somatic micro-structures the therapist’s high empathetic reactivity is required.

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“…In terms of sound and speech, the singing part is called "aniri" or "broader," while the speaking part is called "applied" or "spacious." In addition, the "Gosu" plays drums to the clown's performance [6]. The drummer beats the emotional circuit of the song and adds attractiveness to the performance [8].…”

“…The Japanese government frequently suppressed pansori that referred to the monarchy or Korean nationalism in an attempt to repress Korean culture [2]. Along with Japanese censorship, the rise of film and changgeuk, as well as the turbulence of the Korean War all contributed to pansori's decline by the mid-twentieth century [6]. In order to help conserve the pansori heritage, the South Korean government designated it an Intangible Cultural Property in 1964 [7].…”

“…After the two are unlawfully married, Mongryong travels to Seoul, where a corrupt local magistrate, Byeon the wicked, attempts to force Chunhyang to be his concubine. She can be rescued at the last moment by Mongryong, who has returned home in his new role as a secret royal inspector [6]. The story takes place in Namwon, Jeolla Province, during the annual Chunhyang Festival.…”

“…The pansori demands "a voice like geuneul (shadows)" to communicate great sorrow. Because the mystic geneul is vital in Simcheongga, only a master pansori singer is thought to be capable of performing it well [6]. Simcheongga is a story of Simcheong and her blind father, Sim Hak-Gyu, also known as Sim-Bongsa [7].…”

“…Also, pansori is enjoyable to listen to, observe, and participate in. However, the difficulty with pansori is that its lyrics are riddled with ancient idioms that are difficult for ordinary people to grasp [6]. Pansori generally takes a long time to perform.…”