K-Gugak Stage

K-Gugak Stage is the flagship performance at the National Gugak Center's Namwon branch, staged by a resident troupe of changgeuk singers, an orchestra and a dance group performing pansori classics such as Chunhyangga, Simcheongga and Heungbogga alongside salpuri dance and samdo nongak garak. Namwon is the traditional home of pansori and the setting of the Chunhyangga love story, so the performance carries extra local resonance.

Namwon sits on the Jeolla Line, so you can take a KTX or ITX-Saemaeul from Yongsan or Seoul Station directly to Namwon Station, a journey of roughly three hours. Express or intercity buses to Namwon also run from Seoul's Central City Terminal. From Namwon Station or the bus terminal, a short taxi ride gets you to the National Gugak Center Yewondang.

Chunhyangjeon, a love story from the Joseon Dynasty, is one of the most renowned classical novels in Korea. The story has been reinterpreted as a pansori version Chunhyangga and has been providing Koreans with both emotional and entertaining experiences for many years. The city in which the Chunhyangjeon is set is Namwon, Jeollabuk-do. The locations where the two protagonists of the narrative, Chunhyang and Mongnyong, fell in love and subsequently parted ways are still accessible, making the story feel more vivid.

Namwon is the birthplace of the Chunhyangga, and is also a place where one may experience the essence of pansori. The Chunhyang Theme Park, constructed around the theme of Chunhyang, is the site of the National Gugak Center, which hosts a variety of traditional Korean music performances. The most representative performance, K-Gugak Stage , clearly demonstrates why Namwon is regarded as the home of traditional Korean music. The gugak performance group, which consists of a changgeuk troupe, an orchestra, and a dance group, performs a variety of pansori, including Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, and Heungbogga, as well as salpuri dance, danmak changgeuk, and samdo nongak garak. The group’s performances often feature heart-rending melodies that evoke a strong emotional response from the audience, while employing more exciting rhythms at other times that encourage audience participation through dance.

Following the performance, visitors can prolong their enjoyment of the experience by exploring the various exhibition spaces at the National Gugak Center. The Gugak Exhibition Hall offers an immersive environment where visitors can gain insight into the history and techniques associated with traditional instruments, while the Folk Music Archive provides access to a wealth of resources, including records and books, on the subject of folk music. Additionally, visitors can embark on a tour of the surrounding area, including the Chunhyang Theme Park, to gain a deeper understanding of the cultural heritage and traditions of Namwon.