Folk Music Route

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1. 1

   Heritage site

   Gochang Pansori Museum

   100 Dongni-ro, Gochang-eup, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do

   Stamp: Inside Gochang Pansori Museum

   Pansori (designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage and UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) is a traditional Korean genre of musical storytelling performed by a vocalist and a drummer. "Pan" refers to "a place where people gather" or "an occasion," while "sori" means "sound" in all its natural manifestations expressed through human voice. The Gochang Pansori Museum in Gochang-gun was established to preserve and promote the tradition of Pansori, providing visitors with opportunities to appreciate this unique art form. The museum systematically showcases the history, characteristics, and artistic world of Pansori through photographs, models, videos, and sound recordings. Exhibits include items related to the lives of renowned Pansori figures like Shin Jae-hyo, as well as displays highlighting famous Pansori singers from Gochang, such as Jin Chae-seon and Kim So-hee. Behind the museum, visitors can find the Gochang Shin Jae-hyo House, which was the residence of Shin Jae-hyo, a significant figure in the history of Pansori, known for his contributions to the development and criticism of Pansori. Shin, who lived in this house until the end of his life, trained master singers and compiled and adapted the scripts of six pansori (Korean traditional musical storytelling) stories: Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Bak Taryeong, Garujigi Taryeong, Ttokki Taryeong, and Jeokbyeokga.

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2. 2

   Heritage site

   National Intangible Heritage Center

   95 Seohak-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do

   Stamp: In front of Permanent Exhibition Hall 2 on the second floor of Yeollinmaru

   National Intangible Cultural Heritage refers to intangible cultural assets, such as knowledge, techniques, rituals, and performing arts, which have been continuously re-created by a community and possess high historical and artistic value. These assets are characterized by being shared within the community and primarily transmitted through oral tradition. The National Intangible Heritage Center is a comprehensive administrative and cultural space established to systematically protect and fully preserve these intangible cultural heritages. Various materials, including those accessible through music and video, as well as traditional instruments, costumes, accessories, knots, and masks, convey the meaning and value of intangible heritage in an engaging manner. The center offers a variety of programs where visitors can directly feel, touch, and experience these cultural assets. Additionally, performances by national intangible heritage holders on Saturdays provide an opportunity to experience the beauty and excitement of traditional culture.

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3. 3

   Heritage site

   Gwanghallu Pavilion, Namwon

   1447 Yocheon-ro, Namwon-si, Jeollabuk-do

   Stamp: In front of the Tourist Information Center within Gwanghallu Pavilion

   Gwanghallu Pavilion is one of Korea’s most beautiful pavilions, often compared to Gyeonghoeru in Seoul, Bupyeongnu in Pyongyang, and Chokseongnu in Jinju. Built by Hwang Hui, a renowned prime minister of the Joseon Dynasty, in 1419, the pavilion was rebuilt in 1638 (the 16th year of King Injo's reign) after being burned down during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1597 (Jeongyujaeran). The surrounding garden, known as Gwanghallu Garden, is a significant example of traditional Korean landscape architecture, embodying the principles of geomancy, yin-yang, and the five elements. Gwanghallu symbolizes the Moon Palace, and the pond in the garden represents the Milky Way. The bridge installed over the pond is the Ojakgyo Bridge, where the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl (Gyeonu and Jiknyeo) meet on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. The three islands created in the pond symbolize Bongraesan, Bangjangsan, and Yeongjusan, which are mountains where Taoist immortals are believed to reside. Gwanghallu Garden, which expresses an ideal world where these immortals live, is also the place where Seong Chunhyang and Yi Mongryong, the main characters of the novel "The Tale of Chunhyang," formed their bond. The site includes Chunhyang Shrine, which houses a portrait of Chunhyang painted by artist Kim Eun-ho, the Chunhyang Hall with various information related to Chunhyang, and a thatched house that recreates Chunhyang's home.

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4. 4

   Heritage site

   Pilbong Nongak Training Center

   272 Gangun-ro, Gangjin-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do

   Stamp: In front of the Information Desk at Pilbong Nongak Training Center

   The exhilarating Pilbong Nongak (UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage) is a type of traditional Korean folk music performed during farming or festive seasons to uplift spirits. It is a popular performing art that strengthens community bonds, often referred to as pungmul, dure, or gut. Pilbong Nongak, which originated and has been passed down in Pilbong-ri, Gangjin-myeon, Imsil-gun, Jeollabuk-do, is a village pungmul. In the eastern region of Jeolla Province, traditional Korean folk music is known as Jwadong Nongak, and Pilbong Nongak, which has preserved its original form the best, is its representative. Initially a simple form of nongak, it developed into a high-level performance after inviting Pak Hak-sam, a sangsoe (leader of a nongak troupe and the primary gong player), around 1920. Pilbong Nongak is characterized by its powerful and vigorous rhythms, emphasizing group harmony and unity rather than individual skills. The Pilbong Nongak Transmission Center, where people can learn and experience Pilbong Nongak, is a popular destination for both dedicated students and the general public. Particularly during school vacations, it attracts hundreds of students from all over the country each week. Situated within the Pilbong Cultural Village, the center offers a variety of programs, including traditional culture experiences, a Pungmul Exhibition Hall showcasing the history of Pilbong Nongak, indoor and outdoor performance venues for various cultural events, and a traditional Korean village complex (churyakwon) providing hanok stays and experiences.

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5. 5

   Heritage site

   Jindo National Gugak Center

   3818 Jindo-daero, Imhoe-myeon, Jindo-gun, Jeollanam-do

   Stamp: In front of the Information Desk at Jinakdang Theater (only available on Saturdays), main gate guard room

   Located at the foot of Yeoguisan Mountain in the southern part of Jindo, a cradle of traditional Namdo arts, Jindo National Gugak Center was established to preserve and develop the long-standing traditional culture and arts of Namdo, and to conduct systematic research, education, and performances in Korean traditional music. Jinakdang, meaning "Hall of Precious Sounds," Dalbit Madang (Moonlight Courtyard) offering views of Yeoguisan Mountain and Gwiseongpo Port, and Byeolbit Madang (Starlight Courtyard) where you can see the starry sky, host various regular and special performances. In addition to performances within the center, there are also active external performances. In particular, the "Visiting Gugak Center" program, which visits culturally underprivileged areas, enables more people to experience and enjoy Korean traditional music. Furthermore, weekend cultural experiences are operated, allowing visitors to enjoy performances, learn Korean traditional music, and explore Namdo culture.

   Official information ↗
6. 6

   Heritage site

   National Maritime Museum of the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage

   136 Namnong-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk at the National Maritime Museum

   Korea, an island nation surrounded by the sea, has a rich history of seafaring and maritime activities. Trade ships braving the rough seas often met with misfortune, sinking to the ocean floor laden with precious cargo. These sunken ships, or treasure ships, have captured the imagination of people for centuries. Advances in technology have allowed us to salvage these vessels from the depths, revealing the treasures they carried. The remains and artifacts of these ancient ships found at sea are collectively known as underwater or maritime cultural heritage. The National Maritime Museum, operated by the National Research Institute of Maritime Heritage, is a space dedicated to showcasing underwater cultural heritage. As a repository for marine artifacts excavated from across the country, this exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of Korea's maritime culture, the development of shipbuilding technology, and the daily lives of our ancestors. Inside, visitors can see both real and model ships from the Goryeo Dynasty, while the outdoor area features a reconstructed Joseon Dynasty vessel, offering a vivid and immersive experience. A diverse range of underwater artifacts also provide a glimpse into the past. In particular, the Sinan Ship, excavated in 1976, is considered a precious heritage that offers insights into the Maritime Silk Road and the culture of East Asia in the medieval period.

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7. 7

   Heritage site

   Usuyeong National Tourist Site

   1021 Hakdong-ri, Munnae-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do

   Stamp: Information Desk at Usuyeong National Tourist Complex

   During the Joseon Dynasty, the provinces of Jeolla and Gyeongsang were frequently raided by Japanese pirates known as wakou. To defend these regions, the Joseon court established naval bases, each headed by a naval commander. When viewed from Seoul, the base on the right was called Usuyeong, and the one on the left was called Jwasuyeong. Haenam was the location of Usuyeong. Usuyeong National Tourist Complex was created to commemorate the Battle of Myeongnyang and preserve the site's historical significance. The Battle of Myeongnyang, which took place in 1597, was a naval battle where Admiral Yi Sun-sin, with only 13 ships, achieved a decisive victory over the Japanese navy at Myeongnyang Strait (Uldolmok). Located between Haenam County and Jindo County, Uldolmok is the narrowest strait in Korea with the fastest tidal currents. Because the sound of the rapids crashing against the rocks was said to resemble the sound of a crying sea, the strait was named Uldolmok, meaning 'the sea passage that weeps.' This was transcribed into Chinese characters as Myeongnyang. The Myeongnyang Battle Memorial Park, built overlooking Uldolmok, houses the Myeongnyang Naval Battle Memorial Hall, modeled after a panokseon (turtle ship). Here, visitors can find abundant materials about Admiral Yi Sun-sin, the Battle of Myeongnyang, turtle ships, various weapons, and the history of naval battles worldwide. From the nearby observatory, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Uldolmok, Jindo Bridge, and Jindo Tower. In front of Uldolmok, where a thunderous roar can be heard, stands a statue of the great hero Yi Sun-sin deep in thought. Unlike most statues of Yi Sun-sin, which depict him in armor, this statue is striking for its portrayal of the admiral wearing a traditional Korean robe and holding a map.

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