제 18 호 Disappearing Korean Intangible Cultural Property
Kicker: Entertainment
Disappearing Korean Intangible Cultural Property
By Su-Young Kim, Reporter /kimsuyoung1342@gmail.com
There are many proud cultural heritages in Korea. Through cultural heritage, we can see and feel tradition and keep our own unique things. There are two types of cultural heritage, one is tangible and the other is intangible. We are going to find out intangible cultural heritage in particular. Intangible cultural properties refer to all cultural properties that cannot be preserved by materially stopping, such as music, dance, theater, craft technology, and play, which should be preserved and spiritual creation of humankind. Types of intangible cultural properties in Korea include Pansori, which is a song with a story to the drum, Talchum with a traditional mask and Onggijang, a person who can make pottery that can store food for a long time. However, these important intangible cultural properties are on the verge of disappearing. Let’s talk about why intangible cultural properties are on the verge of disappearing, why intangible cultural properties should be preserved well, the state’s efforts to preserve intangible cultural properties, and Korea’s intangible cultural properties that are now expanding into the world.
I’m going to introduce some Korean intangible cultural property to you. First, Kimjang which makes a lot of kimchi at once in late autumn, has been registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO made the decision in recognition that kimchi is not only a food that has been handed down for hundreds of years, but also an important cultural heritage that has shaped the identity of the Korean people. Second, Jongmyo-Jeryeak refers to the music played using dance, songs, and instruments during ancestral rites at shrine of kings and queens in the Joseon Dynasty and is also called Jongmyoak. This is the essence of court music that combines instrumental performance, singing and dancing in the Joseon Dynasty and although it shows our cultural traditions and characteristics, it has a unique style and beauty that cannot be seen in foreign countries. Jongmyo-Jerye and Jongmyo-Jeryeak were designated as national intangible cultural properties in 1964 and are preserved and transferred. Lastly, Najeonjang is a technique of grinding beautifully patterned abalone or shells on wooden furniture or objects, cutting patterns, and attaching them with lacquer.
Picture of Doing Kimjang
Picture of Jongmyo-Jeryeak
Picture of Najeonjang As I mentioned before, these intangible cultural properties are on the verge of disappearing because there is no one transferred this technology and culture. Even though craftspeople only teach their children the technology, it is not easy. Pansori, which we know well, is also in a bad situation. Pansori is more popular than other intangible cultural properties, so there seems to be no problem, but male singers are on the verge of disappearing. Few of the students who have started learning Pansori now are men. Pansori has different types of songs depending on the gender of the singer, but if this situation continues, the songs sung by men may disappear. Also, the biggest reason why intangible cultural properties are disappearing is the lack of demand. To preserve intangible cultural properties, the state also hosts public events for national intangible cultural properties or conducts transmission activities organized by transmission, selection of excellent successors and capacity building projects. However, it takes more than 20 years to become an intangible cultural asset holder. In most cases, it is difficult to make a living, so there are no more successors. Nevertheless, the reason why intangible cultural properties should be well preserved is that tangible cultural properties are connected. If intangible cultural properties are technologies to create traditional products, tangible cultural properties can be said to be the result, and in 2008, a fire broke out in Sungnyemun Gate, Korea's No. 1 national treasure. It was restored five years later, and all intangible cultural heritage craftspeople participated during the restoration process. If intangible cultural properties had been destroyed at that time, we would not have been able to see Sungnyemun Gate again.
Consequently, as intangible cultural properties become another national competitiveness, their role is becoming important. “A tiger is coming down” of the band "Inalchi" has gained worldwide attention and popularity with a song based on pansori. And the tug-of-war in the drama Squid Game is also listed as an intangible cultural property. To create new things based on old things, the original intangible cultural properties must be well preserved. I think policies related to supporting education expenses for transmitters should be further strengthened for Korea's intangible cultural properties to be well preserved and inherited and it is important to try to be more friendly and widely known to the public. Therefore, in each region, there are festivals where you can enjoy the unique intangible cultural properties of the region, such as the Gwangalli Eobang Festival (Fishing Village Festival) and Jeju Intangible Cultural Heritage Daejeon. I hope you will experience intangible cultural properties in person, feel how precious they are and continue to pay attention through these festivals.
Sources :
Cultural Heritage Administration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egs33HTr9Tc
