K-pop, or Korean pop music, is among the most listened-to genres on the globe today. Yet the national musical tradition that gave birth to K-pop is little known outside of Korea.

The first of a series on Korean music from Hanyang University, this six-week course will explore the social significance and cultural impact of Korean traditional music.

As you discover new genres and art forms week by week, you’ll experience the rich spectrum of sounds in Korean music.

Explore the intersections between music and culture, politics, and daily life in Korea

In each week of the course, you’ll explore the role and significance of music in a different aspect of Korean culture: politics, daily life, poetry, drama, and art.

You’ll understand the ways that traditional music and art forms have helped to shape all aspects of life in Korea.

Delve into traditional Korean genres including sanjo and talchum

Beyond analysing their social function, you’ll also enjoy the sounds and styles of Korean music as an art form.

You’ll view clips of a wide range of samples of traditional Korean genres and performance styles, including sanjo, Milyang Arirang, and talchum.

Learn from the Korean cultural experts at Hanyang University

Your guides on this course are a team of music and culture experts at Hanyang University, one of the top universities in South Korea. They’ll share their insights into the rich history and musical heritage of their country.

By the end of the six weeks, you’ll be able to recognise the primary genres of Korean traditional music and explain their influence within Korean society more broadly.