Healing Sounds in the Spirit: Vong Pak
The South Korean tradition of Salpuri is a stately solo performance accompanied by a musical ensemble of percussion, zither, fiddle, flute, and voice. The drum in Salpuri drives the sinawi rhythm, a special feature of this tradition. The meaning of Salpuri is a combination of two words, sal and puri. Sal is negative energy that harms people or things. Historically, Korean people believed that Sal caused them to become ill or come across danger. Subsequently Puri, means to disperse, and is believed to expel negative energy and heal people from any suffering. Thus the music of Salpuri is commonly played to pray for good fortune, wish for harmony or reconciliation, and to drive out evil spirits. This Sonic Clinic presents Vong Pak, playing the Korean percussion instrument, Janggu, and Junghee Oh on vocals and playing the Gayagem (12 string Korean zither). Together, they showcase the healing qualities of Salpuri. Click on the Artist’s Statement to learn more about this tradition.
About the Artists
Vong Pak, janggu (hourglass shaped Korean percussion) — Mr. Pak is a Korean folklore and theatre practioner. His creative works are rooted in the traditional Korean performing arts. Mr. Pak is interested in not just preserve the tradition but also want to make it live in here and now. Mr. Pak performed in the Brooklyn International Music Fest and did the lullaby research includes, Korean, Thai, French, and Basque. Mr. Pak has been developing the world music ensemble BK-Gut for 2022.
Junghee Oh, vocal & gayagem (12 string Korean zither) — Ms. Oh is a Korean folk musician, specialized for the gayageum byungchang (singing accompany with self gayageum playing) and pansori (Korean One Man Opera). Ms. Oh has been recognized and certified as the Korean government cultural ministry’s intangible cultural property No. 23 in Gayageum with song and Sanjo. Ms. Oh performed in the Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center, Library of Congress, and among others. She is teaching her music actively in the Tri-State area.
