Exploring Korean culture through the performing art of Gayageum Sanjo

On June 16, 2025, the Department of Korean Studies, Oriental Studies major at Van Lang University, hosted the event "Traditional Korean Music Exchange: Gayageum Sanjo Performance" to introduce students to a distinctive form of traditional Korean art. The program also aimed to foster cultural exchange and deepen understanding between Vietnamese students and Korean culture through hands-on experiences.

The event offered a musical journey into Korean heritage, featuring compositions that strongly reflect the country’s traditional and cultural identity. One of the highlights was the performance of “Kim Byeong-ho Ryu Gayageum Sanjo” by artist Kim Byeong-ho. Sanjo is a traditional solo instrumental genre in Korean music, characterized by a gradual tempo progression, from slow to fast, accompanied by the Janggu drum. While Sanjo follows a fixed structure, its melodies are highly flexible, allowing performers to showcase their individual techniques and evoke vivid natural imagery such as rivers and forests.

Another featured piece, the short lyrical work “Suygung Doanga” (Water Palace Song), employs musical language to depict natural sceneries like the moon, rivers, mountains, etc. It reflects the deep connection between music and nature in Korean traditional art. Through the live performances and direct exchanges with the artists, participants were able to form emotional connections and appreciate the spirit of this cultural heritage. The event exemplified international cultural exchange efforts that promote mutual understanding and the preservation and development of traditional artistic values within higher education.

At the event, Dr. Seo Eunyeong, a Gayageum artist at the National Gugak Center and founding member of the center’s Contemporary Orchestra, shared her 20-year journey dedicated to Korean traditional music, highlighting the Center's role in preserving and advancing national arts through specialized performance troupes.

Sharing his thoughts after attending the event, Luu Thanh Dat (Class 29, majoring in Marketing) said: “This was my first time experiencing a traditional Korean music genre up close. The event not only helped me better understand music and culture but also offered a truly valuable learning experience.”

The Korean traditional music exchange program not only enriches the intercultural curriculum at Van Lang University but is also part of a broader series of collaborations between the university, international artists, and institutions. These efforts aim to enhance academic and cultural cooperation, enabling students to gain deeper insights into East Asian cultural heritage and develop the skills to engage with and apply cultural values in a dynamic learning environment. 

As part of the program, on June 17, 2025, Van Lang University also hosted a thematic lecture titled “Understanding Korean people and culture through the Gayageum experience”, which attracted enthusiastic participation from students.

News: Bich Ngoc
Photos: Tram Le