[Traditional N] Park Aeri’s Five-Hour Full Performance Challenge, Gangsan-je “Simcheongga” to Resound at Daloreum Theater

Master singer Park Aeri. Photo by National Changgeuk Company.

A 41-year tradition of full-length pansori performance is set to resonate once again with profound depth.

The National Changgeuk Company, resident troupe of the National Theater of Korea, will present “Complete Pansori – Park Aeri’s Simcheongga” on March 7 at Daloreum Theater of the National Theater in Seoul. Since its institutionalization in 1985, this project has continued without interruption, establishing itself as a signature repertory performance that allows audiences to experience an entire pansori cycle in its complete form.

“Complete performance,” or wanchang, literally means presenting the work from beginning to end. It permits neither summary nor excerpt. From the first strike of the drum to the final fading resonance, the singer must carry the narrative entirely through their own vocal tone and interpretation. The audience, too, remains present throughout the extended duration, following every contour of the sound. For this reason, a complete performance is less a conventional concert than an immersive experience. It stands as the most exacting artistic test for a pansori vocalist.

At the center of this performance is master singer Park Aeri. Born in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province, she began studying pansori at the age of nine. Under the guidance of renowned masters Ahn Aeran, Sung Woohyang, and Ahn Sook-sun, she mastered multiple repertoires including the Kim Sejong-je “Chunhyangga,” Gangsan-je “Simcheongga,” and Jeong Gwangsu-je “Sugungga.” Her early achievements at the Jeonju Daesaseupnori and the Dong-A Gugak Competition established her as a leading voice of her generation.

After joining the National Changgeuk Company in 1999, Park further solidified her artistic stature. Beginning with the role of Aeryang in the changgeuk “Baebijangjeon,” she went on to perform leading roles in major productions including “Chunhyang,” “Cheong,” “Medea,” and “Sukyeongnangjajeon.” Her accumulated theatrical sensibility has enriched her pansori, giving it dramatic dimensionality beyond pure vocal delivery.

As a certified practitioner of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage pansori “Chunhyangga” and a professor at Dongguk University’s College of Arts, Park has worked to balance preservation with accessibility. Through television appearances and international performances, she has expanded the reach of Korean traditional music while dedicating herself to educating future generations. Her activities beyond the stage have, in turn, deepened the expressive strength of her artistry.

March complete performance poster. Photo by National Changgeuk Company.

The Gangsan-je “Simcheongga” she will present is known for its profound tragic beauty among the five traditional pansori cycles. The story of Simcheong, who sacrifices herself by plunging into the Indang Sea to restore her blind father’s sight, transcends filial devotion to evoke the fundamental dignity of human existence. Its extended emotional depth demands exceptional interpretive mastery from the performer.

Gangsan-je, originating with the late Joseon-era master singer Park Yujeon, integrates the expressive richness of Seopyeonje with the powerful resonance of Dongpyeonje. It is characterized by clearly defined phrasing, disciplined aesthetics, and emphasis on musical structure and emotional depth over spoken narration. Its restrained yet profound sound sustains the audience’s attention over extended durations.

Park previously completed the Kim Sejong-je “Chunhyangga” on this same stage in 2018. Eight years later, she returns to Daloreum Theater, having further refined her interpretation through a complete performance of Gangsan-je “Simcheongga” at the National Folk Music Center of Korea. Time has added depth to her voice, and her emotional expression has grown increasingly nuanced.

The nearly five-hour running time is demanding, but it is precisely this extended immersion that defines the essence of complete pansori performance. As the audience follows the arc of tragedy and redemption, they are drawn into the narrative itself. Within this unfolding experience, the fundamental power of pansori emerges.

The accompanying drummers bring equal authority to the stage. National Intangible Cultural Heritage holders Kim Cheongman, Lee Taebaek, and Jeon Gyeyeol will provide rhythmic accompaniment, reinforcing the performance’s emotional structure. Commentary and hosting by Professor Sung Giryeon will guide the audience’s understanding.

The National Theater’s “Complete Pansori” series has reached 339 performances, marking the longest-running and most extensive record for full-length pansori presentations. In an era defined by speed and consumption, the sustained continuation of such performances carries profound cultural significance.

Park Aeri’s Gangsan-je “Simcheongga” represents the revival of ancient sound through contemporary sensibility. It stands as a testament that tradition is not repetition, but accumulation. For those who trust in the depth of sound, this performance offers a rare opportunity to experience the essence of pansori once more.

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