This book encloses an interdisciplinary examination of Korean music’s evolution, contextual interactions, and global positioning from historical, sociocultural, and aesthetic perspectives. It brings together various scholarly contributions to analyse Korean music’s transformations, innovations, and cultural suggestions, with a focus on its historical roots and contemporary manifestations. This book captures the multifaceted dynamics in Korean music, showcasing its adaptability and global importance while addressing cultural identity, tradition, and innovation.

Preface

This volume explores several key questions crucial for understanding contemporary Korean music, covering both domestic and international issues. Domestically, it examines the evolution of Gugak (traditional

Korean music) and its promotional strategies over the decades, as well as the intercultural aesthetics present in 21st-century Korean contemporary music. The study also addresses under explored themes, including the role of Changgeuk in reflecting evolving gender perceptions in Korea, the historical impact of the Cold War on Korean music, and the interactions among major market players in the music industry, such as pop stars, the Korean government, and traditional music stakeholders, along with issues of authenticity in Korean playback formats.

Additionally, the book expands its focus to include international perspectives. It assesses how Korean music interacts with global trends through classical influences and inter-Asian collaborations, evaluates the competitive landscape for Korean musicians, and highlights the contributions of Korean female performers in the U.S. The discussion also covers the sustainability of Korean drumming in the U.S., the presence of Korean music in the UK, and efforts to cultivate a pansori audience in France, providing a comprehensive view of Korean music’s global impact and cultural exchanges.

This book contains discussions on traditional Korean music which may be familiar to some of the readers. For those unfamiliar with the instruments and genres discussed in this book, we recommend the National...