Bak Yeon, the person who improved court music in the Joseon dynasty
Have a look at a portrait at the National Gugak Center and learn about a Korean music master, Bak Yeon
Portrait of the Couple Bak Yeon by UnknownNational Gugak Center
Bak Yeon (朴堧, 1378~1458)
Bak Yeon is a greatly significant figure who established the royal court music of the Joseon Dynasty supporting King Sejong the Great. He laid the groundwork for Korean traditional music, Gugak, and is considered one of the three greatest musicians in Korean history.
Bak Yeon was born on August 28, 1378, in the 4th year of King U of Goryeo (918-1392) in Godang-ri, Simcheon-myeon, Yeongdong, North Chungcheong Province. His mother passed away when he was 11 years old. In order to perform the mourning ritual, he built a hut next to her grave and lived there for three years.Far from the village, he lived alone in the desolate mountains, making friends with the sounds of the wind and the songs of the birds. When he was filled with longing for his deceased mother, he played the Korean wind instrument and developed a love for music and sound.
Bak Yeon passed the liberal arts examination at the age of 34 in the 11th year of King Tae-jong of the Joseon Dynasty(1411), and he became a teacher who taught writing to the Crown Prince (later King Se-jong) in 1418. Occasionally he played the Korean wind instrument to the crown prince and talked about music. In the 8th year of King Sejong (1426), in recognition of his musical talents, he was appointed as a high-level music research position, Akhak-Byeoljw(樂學別坐).
Portrait of the Couple Bak Yeon
This is a portrait of Park Yeon (1378-1458), who helped King Sejong establish national music during the Joseon Dynasty. The portrait of the couple Bak Yeon is a painting housed in the Gugak Museum of the National Gugak Center.
This is the only work among portraits of the Joseon Dynasty that depicted a couple side by side. But most of all, this is very important as the only painting that describes Bak Yeon.
The statement in the top of the painting says “This is the portrait of ‘Nangye’ Bak ‘Master of Literature.’ Assisting King Sejong, he reached the status Civil Servant of the Second Rank. He died at the age of 81, in the year Muin during the reign of King Sejo.”
The portrait is thought to have been drawn during the late Joseon Dynasty according to the style of painting such as use of colors, brush strokes, and techniques. In terms of its form and structure, however, it demonstrates the ancient style.
deungga and heonga (2015-09-18)National Gugak Center
The Musical Achievements of Bak Yeon
BakYeon developed court music during the early period of the Joseon dynasty. His musical achievements are threefold.
Nangye Yugo (蘭溪遺稿)National Gugak Center
First, His research on akryul (樂律), the modal and pitch system. Nangye Yugo (蘭溪遺稿) is a collection of writings by Park Yeon. Among them, 39 are proposals in reference to akryul (樂律)" which also appeared in Sejong Silrok (世宗實錄) or the Veritable Records of King Sejong.
Posture playing the pyeonjong by National Gugak CenterNational Gugak Center
The second is the reinvention of Aak-instruments, including Pyeonjong and Pyeon gyeong.
Munmyo JeryeakNational Gugak Center
One of Bak Yeon's greatest achievements is the rearrangement of court music "Aak." Currently, "Aak" continues to "Moonmyo Jeryeak" and is handed down as the oldest ritual music in the East.
Get to know more about Bak Yeon and his achievements in the video below. (Please watch the video in English here.)
Life and achievement of Bak Yeon (Korean version) by Gugak Museum, National Gugak CenterNational Gugak Center
Gugak Research Center of the National Gugak Center(2022.4)
Executive Director: Kim Young-woon (Director of National Gugak Center)
Planning Director: Seo In-hwa (Chief of Gugak Research Office)
Planning and Progress Manager: Kim So-ri
Planning and operation/data research/collection/writing/promotion/editing: Hong Se-ah
