Hanji: Traditional Korean Paper

Hanji is traditional Korean paper made from the bark of mulberry tree. It is made of natural materials making it a neutral paper. And because it is all natural, its properties do not change through time as compared to paper which uses chemicals in its production process. Hanji uses natural dye for its coloring thus it does not fade and retains its color as time passes by. However, due to its complicated natural process of production, the quantity produced is limited.

Hanji is a very versatile material and it has many great uses. In the past, aside from being used in books, it was also used to cover windows and doors. Of the Korean publications that were designated by UNESCO as Memory of the World Heritage, all were made from hanji, a living proof of how durable this material is.

Now-a-days, hanji is still used in various ways such as in doll-making, wrapping material, letter paper, umbrellas as well as in handicrafts and other souvenir items such as fans, as well as in clothes (talk about the green revolution).

To promote the excellence of hanji, the Hanji Culture Festival is held in Jeonju, South Jeolla Province every year. And if you are interested in learning the traditional art of Korean paper, the Traditional Hanji Center offers such a program.

A perfect way of spending your visit to Jeonju, not only will you have the chance to enjoy, explore and experience the beauty of the place but you will also be learning a new skill which may come in handy when you go back home.

Light, durable and beautiful, that's the Hanji.

Pansori: Korean Opera

Have you ever watched a Korean show whether it be a documentary, movie or a drama where you see a person singing and accompanied only by a drummer? Well, that particular form of Korean music is called the pansori. The pansori is a traditional narrative song type which has been classified as a Natural Cultural Intangible Property by the Korean government in 1964 and has been designated as a UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in November 7, 2003. The pansori is also considered as the Korean Opera.

“Pan” meaning a place where many people gather to do something special and “Sori” which is short for “Moksori” means human voice. Thus, pansori is a vocal art form performed in a public place.

There are two performers in a pansori: the gosu or the drummer and the sorrikun or the singer. The singer, usually holding a fan and a handkerchief, tells a folktale with a combination of a sori (singing), aniri (recitation), and pallim (body expressions). The fan is waved to emphasize the singer’s motions and is unfolded to announce changes of scene. While the drummer uses a stick to strike the wooden barrel of the drum with his right hand while pounding the drum head with his left palm, gives the rhythm as well as verbal sounds or chuimsae (this may be simple sounds of encouragement). The audience is also an important part of the pansori as they are expected to respond with their own chuimsae at various points in the performance.

Pansori performances are usually long with a full madang (story) lasting for hours, main reason why modern pansori are often done in sections so as not to get the audiences restless. One such example is that of the “Song of Chunhyang” which is performed for more than eight hours without a break (whew… talk of endurance).

So if you would like to experience a new music genre, why not try the pansori.