Seo Eui-chul, School of Korean Traditional Arts, Wins the 52^nd Chunhyang Gugak Festival

Pansori singer Seo Eui-chul, an alumnus of the School of Korean Traditional Arts, stole the show after performing “Beompijungryu from Sugungga” in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, at the 52^nd Chunhyang Gugak Festival. Earning high praise from the jury, Seo seized the Presidential Award, ultimately receiving 491 points. This win marks his second achievement in the festival, following the Grand Prize he earned last year when he played the geomungo while singing. Seo once again demonstrated excellence in both his prowess and potential.

Mr. Wang Ki-seok, head of the jury, complimented Seo’s competence and vocalization as a pansori singer. Wang particularly noted Seo’s humorous portrayal of a rabbit’s temperament while singing “Beompijungryu.” Seo Eui-chul entered the world of pansori at age five and has trained under the guidance of many pansori masters, including the late Park Dongjin. Seo earned both his bachelor’s and master’s from K-Arts with top honors. He is currently pursuing his PhD from Dongguk University. Already a skilled pansori master, he has extensive experience winning gugak competitions. Currently, he leads the Geo-Koo-Ro Project – also known as “Go Back Project” – with his pansori team, Seouichul Gadan.

In his acceptance speech, Seo expressed his aspirations, saying, “I will strive to promote pansori as a K-cultural heritage, advance K-gugak in partnership with Namwon city, and further popularize gugak by seeking collaborations with many different musical genres.”

Marking the 52^nd anniversary, the Chunhyang Gugak Festival introduced new categories – one for fusion and creative gugak, and another for gugak new comers – expanding its scope and variety this year. The winner of the Presidential Award received a prize money of 50 million Korean won.