Mr. Choe Dong-hyeon, 52
Professor of Traditional Korean Music
Pansori literally means “songs at a place of entertainment” as pan means the place of performance while sori means the sound. Pansori is usually performed by two performers: one person plays the drum while the other chants a folk song. This song, however, is not like the songs that we enjoy today. Instead, the song resembles more of an epic or a narrative, that is quite lengthy at times, sung in a rhythmic fashion much like a folk song. The singer, usually holding a folding fan and a handkerchief, tells a folk tale with a combination of sori(singing), aniri(recitation), and pallim (body expressions). The drummer provides the singer with a rhythmic pattern and various tempos that compliment the storyline and the mood of the singer.
What subject do you teach?
Korean ancient literature, especially pansori. It’s Korea’s traditional narrative song. It’s about 300 years old. There are many pansori singers. The singers have a husky, powerful voice.How did you originally become interested in this field?
I had the chance to watch a pansori performance 30 years ago. I’ve never studied to perform it, but about it, academically.What else do you teach?
Chinese characters (writing), Chinese literature, and Korean ancient novel.What are the good points of being a university professor?
I have plenty of time to research. I focus on going out in the field to research pansori. I feel very free. I’m an officer in a national pansori organization. I’m vice president. I research the singer, the dancers, and the literature. I try to discover and promote new singers as well.Any bad points?
The salary is relatively low. There’s also stress to complete research. I put this stress on myself.Do you have many publications?
I have published about 30 books, mostly about pansori. I used to be a poet. Some of my published books are my poetry.How many classes do you teach in a week?
Eleven 50 minute classes. The number of students range from 22 to 110. Students don’t study hard. It can be frustrating as a teacher. There are no behavior problems however. Some students pretend to listen, pretend to be interested, but they just daydream.How do you determine a grade?
Attendance, projects and exams. The number that pass varies. Not many fail.What did you do before teaching?
I was a middle school teacher, and high school teacher for seven years, and five years as a part-time professor. I like teaching at university best. I teach seven months a year now. The rest of the time I can research and go to conferences.In America professors can get a sabbatical for intensive research. What about Korea?
That system exists here too, but I choose to not go on sabbatical.What’s your dream for the future?
I’d like to research pansori much more. I also want time to write more of my own poetry, which is free verse about various topics, criticisms of modern society, or about poor students who don’t have money to attend school, for example.What are your criticisms of modern society?
This was about my hopes for democracy. You know, we used to have a dictatorship. Students fought for democracy. I supported their efforts.the end