This article, based on the theoretical framework of `folk music ecology', conducts a systematic comparative study of the representative traditional musical instruments of China and South Korea, namely the Gayageum and the Guzheng. The aim of this rese...
This article, based on the theoretical framework of `folk music ecology', conducts a systematic comparative study of the representative traditional musical instruments of China and South Korea, namely the Gayageum and the Guzheng. The aim of this research is to deeply explore the role positioning, historical evolution trajectory, and driving forces of the Guzheng and the Gayageum in traditional society from this perspective, in order to reveal their survival logic and development laws in the context of globalization and cultural changes.
The research first constructs the theoretical structure of folk music ecology, and then proceeds to discuss from two core levels: Firstly, focusing on the traditional role, it analyzes the functions of the Gayageum and the Guzheng as the core carriers of national culture. The research shows that both have three core functions: practical function, inheritance mechanism, and cultural symbol. However, the Gayageum more strongly emphasized its identity as a unified symbol of Korean national spirit and aesthetic view, while the Guzheng more prominently demonstrated the diversity and varied characteristics of Chinese regional culture. Secondly, it chronologically examines the changes of the two instruments. The research found that both the Gayageum and the Guzheng have followed a similar path from spontaneous inheritance in ancient times, being impacted by external forces in the modern era, to active adaptation for renewal in the modern times. However, in terms of coping strategies, the modern transformation of the gayageum highlights the leading role of national cultural policies and identity recognition, while the development of the guzheng more prominently demonstrates the internal driving force of self-renewal through absorption and integration within the vast cultural system.
The conclusion of this article states that the survival and development of the Gayageum and the Guzheng fundamentally depend on whether they can maintain a dynamic balance and positive interaction with the folk music ecosystem in which they exist. In the face of contemporary social challenges, the future of both instruments relies not only on the adherence to the roots of their native culture but also on the practice of expanding their ecological niches through innovation. This research not only provides a new theoretical perspective for understanding the vitality of traditional musical instruments in Northeast Asia, but also offers valuable insights for the inheritance and development of folk music in the era of globalization.