history

Farm music is a style of folk art which combines music, dance, play and others created by Korean ancestors in the course of their agricultural life. 

The music, which is closely connected with the Korean people’s agricultural life, is a mass-based and collective national art which was enjoyed by peasants most widely in the past, and it is very rich in national characteristics.

It originated in the closing years of the primitive society to keep developing before greeting a heyday between the 17th century and the 19th century.

It was much played in the beginning of preparations for the new year’s farming, at the time of difficult farming processes such as rice transplanting and weeding or at the time when harvesting was finished and during peasants’ joint work.

It was also used for major folk games of the year.

It was played by a band of several members, not by a person.

The depictive features of the music are displayed intensively through the ever-changing rhythmic tunes of different percussion instruments including kkwaenggwari (a kind of small gong) and jing (a kind of gong) and the melodic tunes of accompanying saenap (a Korean brass wind instrument).

In particular, tunes take a leading position in the representation system of farm music. 

The music is divided into peasant dance which is danced to the tune of the music under the guidance of sangsoe (leading gong player) and dramatic peasant play by a motley crew. 

It reflects the artistic talents, optimism, stamina and collectivist spirit of Korean ancestors. It has been carried on with great emotional influence as it is strong in appeal and motivation.