[Written by Huang Xue-fan (Singaporean, Institute of International Education, Kyung Hee University)]

I was invited by my new friend to attend her end-of-course presentation at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts on December 6, 2008. The performance was meant to be some sort of a report card for foreigners who had signed up last fall to learn to play Korean traditional instruments like the janggu, gayageum and danso. The performance was staged at the Umyeon-dang, National Center for Korean Tradition Performing Arts and commenced at 10:30am.

Janggu (Hourglass-shaped Drum)

The opening performance was by the janggu class. I believe there is a very good reason to why the performance started off with the janggu. The fast thumping sound of the drums really woke up my mind. Otherwise, I would have easily dozed off during the performance.

Gayageum (Beginner's) - 12 Stringed Zither

The gayageum, as its name suggests, was invented in Gaya, a confederacy which was later annexed by Silla during the period of Three Kingdoms. If the janggu is considered a “yang” instrument then the gayageum is a “yin” instrument. The sound produced by the gayageum is softer and more melodious. Hearing the janggu and gayageum together produced an indescribable sense of harmony.

Danso - Vertical Bamboo Flute

The danso class started their piece slightly out of sync and they continued for quite a while before a guy not wearing a hanbok (Korean traditional clothes) asked them to restart. After that, the performance went on smoothly. I thought I might be able to play the danso much better than the other instruments because it looked simple. It reminds me of the recorder I used to play during my childhood school music lessons.

Samulnori - Percussion Quartet

Samulnori was the finale of the day and they gave the best performance befitting a finale. Instead of saying that they were giving a performance, I would rather say that they were enjoying what they were playing.

After watching the performance, I started to miss my play-acting days. If given a chance, I would like to act in a Korean play. I think play scripts are the most effective way of learning that country's language. Anyways, though I like samulnori much more, perhaps I should consider joining the danso class next year (danso seems much easier to learn).

P.S. To my new friend: You looked great when you were playing the janggu!