CultureJuly 14, 2026

jeongga

/dʒʌŋ.ɡɑː/

Definition

A refined genre of traditional Korean vocal music characterized by its slow, sophisticated, and lyrical style, historically enjoyed by the literati class.

Etymology

The term comes from the Sino-Korean words 'jeong' (meaning correct, proper, or refined) and 'ga' (meaning song). It emerged as a formal designation for vocal music that followed established aesthetic standards in traditional Korean court and aristocratic culture.

In the news

In this article, jeongga is presented as a traditional musical form being reinterpreted and blended with Western medieval chant and contemporary electronic sounds. It serves as one of the core cultural elements being explored and harmonized during the collaborative performance.

The performance, "The wind alone does not make a sound," is a performance in which Korean and French..

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