2024 Sori Festival ‘Five Pansori Stories’

From National Treasures of the Year to Rising Stars!

This year, Jeonju International Sori Festival’s signature performance series, “Five Pansori Stories,” consists of three sections featuring both young artists and nationally renowned singers, allowing all generations to enjoy pansori performances together. The section of “Treasure-master of the Year” will feature elderly singers who will showcase their long history of performance. “Masters of Our Era” will feature veteran performers who have been active with their passion for pansori, and the “Rising Star” section will feature talented young artists. Let us watch the spectrum of pansori where each story has its own unique charm.

Master Kim Yeongja’s Gangsan-ge Simcheong-ga

2024 Sori Festival’s “Five Pansori Stories” section will feature Master Kim Yeongja who has captivated audiences with her exceptional performance. “Gansan-ge Simcheong-ga” was inherited from Park Yujeon, the founder of seopyeon-je style (lit. the style developed in the western part from Seomjin River), and was rooted in Boseong, Jeollanam-do, where it became transformed into a unique creation that blends with dongpyeon-je style of there. This style was transmitted from Park Yujeon to Jeong Jaegeun, Jeong Eungmin, Seon Wuhyang, and Kim Yeongja. Master Kim Yeongja has her own suriseong voice, which is said to be thick but fine, and her explosive voice, which dominates the whole stage. In addition, her acting skills developed through her changgeuk (pansori-based modern theatre) experience make her one of the best masters who completely captivates the audience. She was recognized as the holder of Pansori Simcheongga, the National Intangible Cultural, Heritage, in 2020.

Seo Jinhee, who performs on stage with the master, originally studied dongcho-je style pansori, but after marrying Kim Dohyeon, Kim Yeongja’s son, she studied sugung-ga and simcheong-ga of the master’s style. In 2023, she won the grand prize at the Jeonju Daesaseup Competition, following in the footsteps of her father-in-law (master Kim Ilgu), mather-in-law, and husband. She is currently a member of the Namwon National Gugak Center’s Changgeuk Company, and has played the lead role in various productions. In this festival performance, Masters Lee Taebaek and Kim Taeyeong will perform as percussionists.