 Korean 

folk music is varied and complex, but all

forms maintain a set of rhythms (called Jangdan)
and a loosely defined set of melodic modes.
 Because the folk songs of various areas are
categorized under Dongbu folk songs, their vocal
styles and modes are limited. Therefore,
currently scholars are attempting to categorize
the Dongbu folk songs further based on different
musical features. These songs are mostly simple
and bright. Namdo folk songs are those of Jeolla
Province and a part of Chungcheong Province.
 While the folk songs of other regions are mostly
musically simple, the folk songs of the Namdo
region, where the famous musical genres pansori
and sanjo were created, are rich and dramatic.
Some Namdo folk songs are used in pansori or
developed by professional singers and are
included as part of their repertories. Jeju folk
songs are sung on the Jeju Island. They are more
abundant in number than any other regional folk
songs, and approximately 1600 songs are
transmitted today. Jeju folk songs are
characterized by their simple and unique melodic
lines and rich texts.
Chong-ak music

 Court music for the royal people of Korea.

 Chong-ak was the music associated with the
ruling classes, while sog-ak was the music of
the underclasses.
Sog-ak music

 Music of the underclasses. 

 Includes folk songs, farmers' music
called nong-ak, a form of dramatic song
called p'ansori, Buddhist music, shaman
music, and an instrumental solo music
called sanjo. 
Pansori

 Is a long vocal and percussive music played by

one singer and one drummer. The lyrics tell
one of five different stories, but is
individualized by each performer, often with
updated jokes and audience participation.
One of the most famous pansori singers is 
Pak Tongjin.
Pungmul

 Is a Korean folk music tradition that is a form of 

percussion music includes drumming, dancing,
and singing. Most performances are outside,
with dozens of players, all in constant motion. 
Samul Nori, originally the name of a group
founded in 1978, has become popular as a genre,
even overseas. It is based on Pungmul musical
rhythmic patterns and uses the same
instruments, but it faster and usually played
while sitting down.
 Korean court music preserved to date can be
traced to the beginning of the Choson
Dynasty in 1392. It is now rare, except for
government-sponsored organizations like the 
The National Center for Korean Traditional Pe
rforming Arts
.
 There are three types of court music.
 One is called Aak, and is an imported form of
Chinese ritual music, and another is a pure
Korean form called Hyang-ak; the last is a
combination of Chinese and Korean
influences, and is called Dang-ak.
Aak

 was brought to Korea in 1116 and was very

popular for a time before dying out. It was
revived in 1430, based on a reconstruction of
older melodies. The music is now highly
specialized and uses just two different
surviving melodies. Aak is played only at
certain very rare concerts, such as the 
Sacrifice to Confucius in Seoul.
Dang-ak

 Is rarely practiced. Only two short pieces are

known; they are Springtime in
Luoyang and Pacing the Void.
Hyang-ak

 By far the most extant form of Korean court

music today, hyangak includes a sort of oboe,
which is a small bassoon, called a piri and
various kinds of stringed instruments.