Variations in the Lyrics of “Shimcheongga”: Characteristics of Boseong-sori

This study examines the characteristics of Boseong-sori through an analysis of lyrical variations. Historically, Boseong-sori has been characterized by its elegant storytelling and refined musical accompaniment, with minimal controversy. However, despite its rich tradition, discussions on its characteristics and aesthetics have remained somewhat stagnant. Hence, a more nuanced investigation into this topic is needed. “Shimcheongga” was selected as the subject of study because Jeong Hoe-seok recently unveiled two versions composed by his grandfather, Jeong Eung-min, a prominent figure in the family’s pansori tradition. As Boseong-sori encapsulates Jeong Eung-min’s musical philosophy, directly analyzing his compositions aids in understanding the essence of Boseong-sori. Therefore, before conducting a comprehensive analysis of the lyrics, this study presents a brief overview of Jeong Eung-min’s significance within the pansori community, emphasizing his exceptional role as an educator. Mainly focusing on the “Tarubi(墮淚碑)” and “Banga Taryeong” verses, we comprehensively investigated the diversity of the lyrics. “Tarubi” is one of the most frequently sung arias, and we selected it owing to its connection to Jeong Eung-min and Seong U-hyang. Meanwhile, “Banga Taryeong” was chosen owing to the need for caution in reflecting changes in the character of Shim Cheong’s father. Although Jeong Eung-min exhibited a tendency to refrain from overly emotional or obscene expressions, his disciples demonstrated a more flexible approach. However, determining the precise timing of these expansions or variations solely through comparison of versions is challenging. Nonetheless, Jeong Eung-min’s educational philosophy, which permitted the teaching of different versions of pansori to his disciples, has contributed to the diverse spectrum of appreciation that Boseong-sori receives today. The distinguishing feature of Boseong-sori from other schools is that its form of sound established by its founder was not rigidly maintained.