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영어

Kisaeng (women performers) in the 20th century is different from that of Chosun Dynasty in terms of administration, their organization, social status, performing repertoires, etc. The advent of the 20th century-style Kisaeng was in 1908 when Kuangi (official Kisaeng) system was dissolved and Sampae (non-official Kisaeng) was organized. Eventually Kuangi fell under the Sampae system. These Kisaeng performed music and dance for common people commercially. The Kisaeng system spread quickly in the early 20th century and many Kisaeng communities were established. By 1920s there were four main Kisaeng communities. Their repertoire took on traditional folk music and a few genres of folk-art music. In the 1930s, Kisaeng participated in many different facets of the performing arts society : traditional music, western-style music, and acting, Kisaeng who succeded in the musical society obtained the title Yoryu which means admirable women and were differnt from most other Kisaeng. Because Kisaeng were organized by Japanese colonial government for commercial purposes, money was concentrated in the Kisaeng communities. Thus, Kisaeng able to sustain the musical society both as performers themselves and by supporting other musicians in the traditional musical society.