Jeon In-pyeong: History of Korean Music

Goguryeo exchanged music with the Western Regions (Central Asia) through the Silk Road; Silla adopted Tang music, Goryeo accepted Song’s Daesung Court Music, and Joseon actively embraced the idea of ritual and music. In modern times, Korea adopted Western music. Today’s K-classic and K-pop commanding the world stage is the result of this exchange and blending. Goguryeo adopted Central Asian janggu drums, and Silla adopted the Tang pipa. Goryeo accepted Daesung Court Music, which gave rise to Jongmyo Jeryeak, Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 1. In modern times, adopting Western music brought forth pianist Yunchan Lim and BTS, who are moving the world. What I would like to examine anew is this history of exchange and blending in Korean music. With this understanding, I have tried to describe Korean music history from an outside perspective so it can be viewed objectively. This differs greatly from existing theories and introductory books, so many people may find it uncomfortable. I have now revised and expanded my 2000 publication A New History of Korean Music and am publishing A New Look at Korean Music History. In this revised and expanded edition, I felt the modern period I had previously defined was too broad, and concluded that dividing it into the early modern and modern periods would be more effective. Periodization is the most important issue in writing history, and I hope this revision helps readers understand more clearly how Korean music history unfolded. This A New Look at Korean Music History, published 24 years ago in 2000, differs greatly in perspective from the works of Lee Hye-gu, Jang Sa-hun, Song Bang-song, Hwang Jun-yeon, Baek Dae-ung, Song Hye-jin, and Jeon Ji-young, among others.

Korean title: 한국음악사

Korean author: 전인평

Korean publisher: 아시아문화

ISBN-13: 9791192666181