Kim Hyunhee

Hyangak literally means “native music” and denotes the repertoire of indigenous Korean court and aristocratic music, as distinguished from imported Chinese (dangak) and Confucian ritual (aak) traditions. It is characterized by stately pacing, spacious phrasing aligned to breath and gesture, and elegant heterophonic textures in which multiple instruments render the same melody with individualized ornamentation. Typical hyangak ensembles feature the three iconic native strings—geomungo (zither), gayageum (zither), and hyangbipa (pear-shaped lute)—alongside winds such as daegeum (large transverse bamboo flute), piri (double-reed oboe), junggeum and sogeum (smaller flutes), and bowed haegeum, supported by timekeeping percussion like janggu (hourglass drum), buk (barrel drum), bak (clapper), and jwago. Modal language centers on Korean pentatonic modes (notably pyeongjo and gyemyeonjo), subtle intonation, and ornate sigimsae (ornamentation), yielding a serene yet dignified sound ideal for banquets and ceremonial occasions. The iconic piece “Sujecheon” stands as a hallmark of the style.