1. Music in South Korea
By Sarah Vandenberg

2. Geographical location
Located in North-East Asia
Part of the mainland Asia continent
On a peninsula.

3. Brief history of cultures origins/Role of music society and lifestyle
Culture has been shaped from when it was originally one nation with North Korea
There are a lot of similarities in their language and culture
Culture is distinctly different from China and Japan (which are two of its closest neighbors)
Rhythm is a key characteristic of South Korean music (more important than in China or Japan)
Style of music is evolving and changing to a more westernized style, which has become popular globally
South Korea is modernizing very quickly but, its traditions and culture are based on beliefs of the past.
The earlier structure of Korea, included 3 kingdoms called Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla.
Each kingdom had its own musical style based on instrument available in that region.
In AD, after unification, Buddhism flourished
Culture was changed and new instruments were introduced

4. Brief history of cultures origins/Role of music society and lifestyle
Culture has been shaped from when it was originally one nation with North Korea
There are a lot of similarities in their language and culture
Culture is distinctly different from China and Japan (which are two of its closest neighbors)
Rhythm is a key characteristic of South Korean music (more important than in China or Japan)
Style of music is evolving and changing to a more westernized style, which has become popular globally
South Korea is modernizing very quickly but, its traditions and culture are based on beliefs of the past.
The earlier structure of Korea, included 3 kingdoms called Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla.
Each kingdom had its own musical style based on instrument available in that region.
In AD, after unification, Buddhism flourished
Culture was changed and new instruments were introduced

5. Types of instruments and their classification
Changgo
Puk
Min’yo
Kkwaenggwari
Ching
Kayagum
Komun’go
Haegum
Ajaeng
P’iri
Taegum
Tanso

6. Features and characteristics of their music
Music quite varied
Can be simple or complex
Korean folk music follows a defined set of rhythms and limited vocal styles.
Pitch of traditional Korean music limited to notes available on instruments.
Pitch can include decorative details and gestures like vibrato, or sliding.
Pitch gets more embellished by more skillful musicians.
Rhythmic texture is very elastic. (beats what the musician feels right - tied to breath and body movements)
Structure generally has several musical movements without pauses.
Often, movements are variations of the first movement.
Duration is often shortened in recordings by leaving movements out
The rhythmic patterns may vary from movement to movement.

7. Distinct musical styles
Common folk music styles include Court music types include - Pansori - aak - Pungmul - dang-ak - Sanjo - hyang-ak - Jeongak - Nongak - Shinawi - Salpuri

8. Other styles introduced
Korean pop music first originated in the 1940s
oldest type of Korean pop is a foxtrot called Teuroteu
Tong guitar developed in the 1970s, inspired by American folk singers.
Norae undong is a form of Korean rock music with political or socially aware lyrics
South Korean music incorporated more styles of music
Developed hybrid music genres heavily influenced by western music.
Nowadays, popular Korean music is called k-pop
contemporary style of music started in the early 1990s
characterized by a fusion of dance, rhythm, blues, funk, hip-hop and electronic music.
Open to change

9. Influences from other cultures
Court music influenced by music of china at the time ( , called yayue)  
Aak is a form of ritual music from China
Hyang-ak is a pure Korean form of court music with Korean string instruments and a Korean oboe called a piri
Dang-ak is a combination of the Korean style and Chinese music from the Tang dynasty
Traditional court music is slow and somber and was enjoyed mostly by the aristocracy.

10. Musical links between traditional and contempry
The traditional South Korean music, is quite different to the music that they have been producing recently (k-pop), but there are some similarities:
Rhythm is an important aspect of all their music
Often accompanied by dance

14. Bibliography https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Korea
Musics of Many Cultures: An Introduction (by Elizabeth May – university of California press 1980 pg. 41)