The purpose of this study is to prepare the basic materials for the development of a way which can make children be familiar with Gukak (Korean classical music) and the programs of Gukak performance which can be brought down to the children's level th...
The purpose of this study is to prepare the basic materials for the development of a way which can make children be familiar with Gukak (Korean classical music) and the programs of Gukak performance which can be brought down to the children's level through the analysis of the reaction and level of favorable response about Gukak performance among the children who saw the performance at large kids cafe in the shape of composite cultural center.
For the research, a performance was shown to the children at one of the kids cafes in the shape of composite cultural center which had a theater, and the results of the survey were analyzed as follows:
First, to the question about the most interesting performance, “Sandoggaebi (Mountain goblin)” Gukak children's song was chosen by 57.9%, followed by “Arirang” Gukak ensemble (24%) and “Hwasaja” in Sugungga (18.2%).
Second, in the preference of the Gukak musical instruments for learning, percussion instruments was chosen the most as expected, followed by wind instrument and string instrument. The ranking among musical instruments was in the order of Janggu (28.9%), Ggaenggwari (23.1%), pipe (19%), and Gayageum (14%).
Third, to the question about the intention to watch the performance again, “want to see again” and “want to see many times again” were answered by 45.5% and 42.1% of the respondents, making 87.6% of positive opinions. Such results proved that the Gukak performance shown in a space full of rides and amusement facilities due to the characteristic of the kids cafe was very successful.
Fourth, about the question to see the favorable response about the Gukak performance done together with character dolls; “interesting” and “very interesting” were chosen by 52.1% and 46.3% of the respondents respectively, making 98.4% of overwhelming positive opinions. It shows that using character dolls, which are very familiar with children, is a very effective way for the performance of Gukak for children.
Fifth, to the question asking their understanding of the content of the song, “understood well” and “understood very well” took 47.1% and 36.4%, making 83.5% of positive opinions.
Sixth, to the question if the gesture and play of the character dolls helped their easy understanding of the content of the song, “they did" and “they did very much” was answered by 48.8% and 44.6% of the respondents, making 93.4% of overwhelming positive opinions. It proves that character dolls should be used actively to promote the understanding and response of children about the content of the songs at Gukak performances.
Based on such conclusions, the following 5 recommendations are made for the promotion of Gukak performance for children and the development of Gukak for the next generation.
First, the businessmen who are operating kid cafes should change their existing perception that Gukak performances are unnecessary or difficult. Instead, as we saw in the above results, they should recognize that children like and enjoy Gukak performance and thus actively adopt Gukak performance programs so that kids cafes can become a balanced composite cultural space for children as a place for cultural performance.
Second, children are influenced the most by their parents when they first encounter Gukak. Thus it is necessary to make extensive PR activities and education of parents through professional Gukak educational institutions to change the recognition of parents and teach the preciousness of our traditions.
Third, It is necessary to make researches on Gukak programs which can enhance the understanding and preference of Gukak among children. Such researches must be done continuously and according to the theme on the scene.
Fourth, follow-up researches using various genres of Gukak at Gukak performances are necessary. Though there are various genres in Gukak, only creation Gukak is preferred in the site of performance. It is necessary to make performance and research using various genres of Gukak.
Fifth, in order for Gukak, the traditional art of Korea which influences the cultural identity of the nation, to be born again as a worldwide cultural product, the government should establish a cultural policy in a political and systematic way.
If countermeasures and follow-up works are taken smoothly soon in relation to the above recommendations, it means that many stages are created throughout the country for the performance of Gukak for children where children can watch the performance with their parents at a place with easy transportation access paying relatively cheap admission fee.
If such a new type of space is created for the performance of Gukak, it will provide an environment for children to be able to watch traditional performances on a regular basis and play an important role in the expansion of the basis of Gukak and the quantitative increase in the activities of Gukak performance.
It is our traditional culture which can be established as the most powerful national culture brand in the era of cultural competition in the 21st century. Therefore, we all will have to make effort to help growing children contact our traditional culture naturally and inherit and develop them to lead the 21C era of culture.