“The Complete Performance of Pansori: Ji Seonhwa’s Shimcheongga” to Be Staged

Ji Seonhwa, an alumna of the School of Korean Traditional Arts, will present “The Complete Performance of Pansori: Ji Seonhwa’s Shimcheongga” at the Daloreum Theater, National Theater of Korea, on October 11. Ji, who has mostly performed on regional stages, will be presenting a full-length pansori for the first time.

Ji began singing pansori at the age of ten and honed her skills by studying “Shimcheongga,” “Heungbo-ga,” and “Chunhyang-ga” under pansori master Lee Il-ju. She attended Jeonju Fine Arts High School and later studied traditional music at K-Arts’ School of Korean Traditional Arts. Her breakthrough came in 2015, when received the Best Award (Prime Minister’s Award) at Park Rokju National Gugak Competition. In 2018, she secured the Best Award (Presidential Award) at the Park Dongjin Pansori Singer and Drummer Competition. She currently serves as a permanent member of the vocal ensemble at the Jindo National Gugak Center.

This performance will showcase “Shimcheongga” in the Dongchoje style, a pansori tradition established by pansori master Dongcho Kim Yeonsu, a holder of the national intangible cultural heritage. Dongchoje style, characterized by its clear narrative delivery and refined literary quality, was shaped by Kim Yeonsu through the integration of strengths from multiple master singers. With her precise diction, stable breathing, and invigorating tone, Ji will bring to life key episodes such as “Toward Hwangseong” and “Revelation.”

“Performing a complete pansori at the National Theater is a dream opportunity for any pansori singer. I will do my utmost to be worthy of the honor I’ve been given,” Ji Seonhwa remarked.