The Popularization of Gugak: A Case Study of the MIJI Project, a Gugak Girl Group
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5429/2079-3871(2015)v5i2.3enKeywords:
gugak, government, Korea, popular music, MIJIAbstract
As an aspect of cultural policy, the Korean government has made efforts to popularize Korean traditional music, gugak (“national music”). One way of doing so has been to offer financial support for gugak groups. MIJI, a gugak girl group, is one of the beneficiaries of this support. On the basis of the government funding, in 2008 the LOEN Entertainment Company began to manage the group in 2008. However, in 2010, the group was considered unsuccessful in achieving its original goal of providing a successful model of a gugak band by the scheduled year, 2011. In 2012, the group nevertheless became active again. An analysis of the project and its processes reveals the present situation of gugak in Korea and the problems involved in its popularization. Furthermore, through this process we are able to gain insights into the role of the Korean government in the promotion of gugak, through the long-term measures the government can take to popularize gugak; for example, by developing projects to connect performing music artists with the pop industry in a sustainable way, by increasing gugak programming in mass media and by strengthening gugak education in school.http://dx.doi.org/10.5429/2079-3871(2015)v5i2.3en
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Discography
Gugak FM Broadcasting System. 2012. Sinnyeon Teukjipjwadamhoe, K-popgwa Gugaksai (“Talk Show New Year Special: Between K-pop and Gugak”). 4 January. http://www.gugakfm.co.kr/gugak_web/Player/SpecialRadio_listen.jsp; Accessed: 16 October 2012.
MIJI –
The Challenge, 14 January, LOEN, Korea.
Unbelievable, 25 March, LOEN, Korea.
Sookmyung Gayageum Orchestra. 2006. For YOU: Best Collection 2006, 16 May, Seoul Records, Korea.
Videography
A Journey in Search of Korea’s Beauty. 2011. Prod. Bae Yong Joon. DVD. Loen Entertainment.
MIJI Arirang (Korean Traditional Folk Song). 2010. Youtube.com. 10 November. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maPp7JuuLcI; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
MIJI Don’t Cry (Heunoni). 2010. Youtube.com. 15 June. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGmMgJRkxSQ; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
MIJI Fly Me to the Moon. 2010. Youtube.com. 2 September. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gpHVlIQcAk; Accessed: 16 October 2012.
Miji & Kim Jin Ho (SG Wannabe) Unbelievable [New Digital Single]. 2011. Youtube.com. 24 March. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JGv_zRg6gA; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
MIJI K. New. 2010. Youtube.com. 14 April. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsDOHvvc2T4; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
MIJI PROMOTION.wmv. 2009. Youtube.com. 31 December. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kvc3BiUNXQ; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
MIJI The Chaser. 2010. Youtube.com. 19 April. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPNhDnS5zZY; Accessed: 16 October 2012.
MIJI Unbelievable MV. 2010. Youtube.com. 24 March. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzYffON8vXE; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
Seopyeonje. 1993. Dir. Kwon-taek Im. DVD. Spectrum DVD.
Traditional music group MIJI [The NEXT HIT]. 2011. Youtube.com. 2 May. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJEg-ljdYgE; Accessed: 21 September 2012.
Interviews
Chae Chi-seong. 2013. Interviewed by the author, Email, 13 March.
Jeon Hye-joon. 2013. Interviewed by the author, Email, 14 February.
Kim Bo-seong. 2011. Interviewed by the author, Email, 14 December.
Kim Dae-jin. 2012. Interviewed by the author, Email, 14 March.
Pang Seong-keun. 2013. Interviewed by the author, Email, 11 March.
Park Jeong-gyeong. 2011. Interviewed by the author, Email, 11 July.
Park Seung-won –
Interviewed by the author, Email, 25 May.
Interviewed by the author, Email, 17 September.
Song Hye-jin. 2012. Interviewed by the author, Email, 29 February.
Yang Hyo-sook. 2011. Interviewed by the author, Email, 20 August.
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