Miso Korean Musical

Direct from Chongdong Theater in Seoul comes Miso Korean Musical. This must-see show that tells a traditional Korean love story through beautifully choreographed dance and music performances and is one of Korea's number one tourist attractions. The performance consists of various forms of Korean traditional dance icluding a Fan Dance, an Exorcism Dance and a Small Drum Dance. Miso performers will be choreographing a special  'opening ceremony' for Sundown Festival Seoul'd Out! 2009 featuring highlights of the Miso performances.

“Miso” which started in 2008 is making every effort to introduce traditional Korean culture to not only Korean people but also foreign tourists through a love story on the stage associated with Korea’s four leading art genre such as dance, Korean musical instrument, Pansori, and percussion instrument. It is a performance to inherit and develop beautiful Korean performing cultural arts and to propagate them not only to the Korean public but also to people around the world. 


Beautiful love story, “Miso”
A story where a young couple in Chosun Dynasty meets and falls in love with the background of Korea’s beautiful four seasons, spring, summer, fall and winter.  On one snowy day in winter, Seolhee (meaning snowy girl) who is as pure as snow bumps into a man. Their encounter evolves into love as warm as spring breeze after cold winter days and they spend a great time which seemingly lasts forever.  Unexpected parting gives them a chance to ensure their true love.  They dream of fantastic and romantic love, promise their everlasting love and throw a party. In “Miso”, one woman’s love story is expressed through Korea’s traditional melody and dance. You can experience the beauty and excellence of Korea’s unique traditional culture such as Korean dancing, Korean instrumental performance, Korean traditional percussion quartet and Pansori (a traditional Korean narrative song).

www.chongdong.com


Korean classical music instruments

Gayageum (a twelve-stringed Korean harp)
Gayageum is a leading Korean stringed instrument created by Wooreuk, a musician from Gaya in the 3rd century.  You are supposed to put the upper part of the instrument on your right lap and play twelve strings to make sound.

Geomungo (a Korean zitherlike instrument with six strings)
Geomungo is a six stringed instrument created by Wang Sanak, a Geomungo expert in Goguryo Dynasty, which is played with a short stick-like plectrum in right hand and with strings pressed with left hand.  While gayageum is considered a feminine instrument, geomungo is considered a masculine instrument with its deep, heavy tone. 

Ajeng
Ajeng has been passed down since Goryeo (918~1392). It serves relatively low registers compared to other instruments and the 7 strings are rather thicker than those of Gumoongo or Gayageum. The player uses a cross-stick in the right hand to push down the string but directly touches the string with left hand to make sound.

Haegeum
Haegeum started to be played in Goryo Dynasty.  It is played with a horsehair yard inserted between the two silk strings while you move the yard with your right hand and adjust the tone by pressing stings with your left hand. 

Piri
Piri has been descended from Gogooryeo (BC 37~AD 668). It is an important instrument that plays the key melody in orchestral play.

Daegeum
Daegeum is a wind instrument which has been passed down since Shilla (BC 57~AD 935). The sound is divided to high note and low note according to the degree of blow. Due to its relatively stable register, it is
often referred to for tuning in orchestral play and is also widely used as the solo instrument.