Every year the Youngnam mountain opera concert is held in Daegu, South Korea.   The name of the opera, Seonsori Santaryeong is literally translated as “a standing song, mountain ballad.”  The mountain opera is not very well known either inside or outside of Korea.   It’s classified by the South Korean government as the “19th Intangible Cultural Asset of Korea.”   Traditional art forms are protected by the Korean government with dance, music and singing classified as priceless intangible heritage.
While playing a small drum, called a sogo, the performers sing ballads about their natural surroundings.

[Jeongim Ha, Seonsori Artist]:
“Every mountain has its own song. Even the front of the mountain and behind the mountain has its own song. This area is Youngnam, so it’s called the Youngnam Mountain opera.”
 
One feature of seonsori is the music starts slow but gets faster and faster as the song reaches the end.

[Myosun Kim, Manager, Seonsori Daegu Association]: 
“The beat is not steady, there are changes. Singing this opera increases the energy stored inside your body remarkably.”

The guest of honor at the festival is South Korea’s last imperial descendent.  He emphasizes the importance of traditional culture like seonsori.

[Prince Yi Seok, Last Imperial Descendant]:
“I’m from the Joseon Dynasty royalty and am the only one who is still alive. To me, this singing not only entertains Korean people it also restores our customs.”

Performers dance, and sing of Youngnam’s most elegant and astonishing landscapes.

[Byeongjo You, Calligraphy Ink Stick Master Craftsman]: 
“Our history is still being passed down and I think it’s something to be very proud of.”

 [Youngtae Lee, Self Employed]:
“The performers are enthralling us all; it’s overwhelming for me.”

NTD news, Daegu, South Korea