2025 Sori Festival’s Signature Brand Performance Series “Five Pansori Stories”

Five Unique and Elegant Colors of Sounds by Masters

If you want to experience the pure deepness of Korean traditional music, do not miss the representative performance series of the Jeonju Int’l Sori Festival: “Five Pansori Stories!” This year, renowned artists from Jeolla Province will perform, showcasing the intricate, flavorful, and profound beauty of pansori. Joining in with chuimsae (exclamation) like “Eolssigu” and “Jotta” will be one of the best ways to enjoy Pansori even more! Finding a singing style that perfectly matches your taste is another unique way to enjoy.

Nam Sangil’s Jeong Gwangsu Style Sugung-ga

Born and raised in Jeonju, the center of pansori, Master Nam Sangil performs “Sugung-ga” at the Jeonju International Sori Festival. Having mastered all five stories of pansori, he studied “Jeong Gwangsu-je Sugung-ga” under the guidance of Master An Sukseon. Jeong Gwangsu style Sugung-ga, originated from Song Heungrok, the founder of the Dongpyeon-je (lit. the east-side’s style), has been passed down through Song Gwangrok, Song Wooryong, Yoo Seongjun, and Jeong Gwangsu. It is characterized by its elaborate lyrics and by the reflection of Dongpyeon-je style’s powerful voice and its ujo tune, combined with Seopyeon-je’s delicate and impressive gyemyeon tune.

The story of a terrapin, who went to the land to find a rabbit’s liver for the sick dragon king, and a rabbit, who cleverly escapes his confronted danger, is a tale that remains relevant in our modern society. Master Nam Sangil's powerful voice, wit, and acting that captivates the audience, will bring the audience to the world of Sugung-ga in which a variety of humorous animal characters are alive.