The Life and Art of The Master Singer Park Ki-hong and Characteristics of His Chunhyangga

This study examines the historical status of pansori master Park Ki-hong, examining his life, activities, artistic characteristics, and his view on the education of pansori. It organizes his Chunhyangga, which remains as Okjunghwa, into the context and characteristics of the transmission of Joonggoje (中古制). First, we summarize Park Ki-hong’s life. Park was born in Naju in 1845 and lived there until 1925, gaining fame as a master of Joonggoje. Second, we examine the characteristics of Park’s vocals. To this end, we summarize the characteristics of the vocals and activities of master singers from Park Ki-hong’s teacher Jeong Chun-pung to his disciples Kim Jeong-gil and Jo Hak-jin from the perspective of the history of transmission. Third, we examine Park Ki-hong’s views on vocal education. Park was a strict yet warm educator, and he seemingly taught thorough training and effort. Fourth, we explore the context in which his vocals were transformed into new novels by viewing Okjunghwa as Park Ki-hong’s Joonggoje, Chunhyangga. The fact that Park's Chunhyangga was chosen as a modern performance piece for the improvement of Chunhyangga proves that intellectuals had a strong opinion of Joonggoje. Park's Chunhyangga can be considered to have played a role in announcing a new beginning for modern Chunhyangga. As a work of Park Ki-hong, the characteristics of Okjunghwa include the following: the conflict of love is highlighted, the critical awareness of lyrics that do not fit with customs is revealed, Chunhyang is acknowledged by Lee doryeong's family, there is a scene of Buddhist service at Manbok temple, the reflection of modern lyrics, and the absence of punishment for Byeonsato. In summary, Park Ki-hong must be recognized as a Joonggoje master singer, and Okjunghwa can be said to reflect the reality of Joonggoje Chunhyangga.