The Behind Meaning of Pansori

I loved viewing Seopyonje. It was the first movie that made me cry in this class. When I first looked at the movie poster I thought it was just another mundane Korean national film. I didn’t have a high expectation. I, as a Korean did not really pay attention to the pansori singers in general. I never knew they gushed out  ‘han’ from bottom of their heart. After watching this film, I finally figured out why this film was widely loved in Korea. This ethnic Korean movie beautifully represented Korea’s traditional voice.

In Hae Joang Cho’s article, it is stated that “it is widely accepted that Sopyonje” became a hit because its principal theme is “searching for our culture” (Cho 138). After such a rapid development, Koreans never looked back. They were too busy looking at the future. Koreans followed Western culture and forgot about our ‘true voice’.

Also, the use of long shots to depict beautiful Korean landscape helped the audience to feel the ‘root’.  I think Director Im captured four seasons of Korea to tell the audience that Pansori and Pansori singers were always around. It was us, the society who shunned them. They did not go anywhere. We moved away from them. However, it was very sad to see Song Hwa's life as a female Korean. If she came from a wealthy family, she could have been a 'Human Cultural Asset'. I can't wait for the Korean society where  Korean women can speak up without any prejudice.

Pansori is not just a simple type of music. With Pansori, Koreans lived their daily lives.The Seopyunje’s theme was very clear and strong that made Korean audience look back their pasts.  I was so glad to see the real Korean movie.