The Globalization of Sound and Identity:

 Korean Traditional Music in the World  

Heather A. Willoughby

A systematic preservation and promotion system of Korean cultural heritage was established through the Cultural Properties Protection Law. Since 1962, the government has promulgated Korean traditional music throughout the world for entertainment purposes as well as a form of soft power. However, although successful in terms of introducing music to a broader, global audience, the underlying intention of such performances was to build an internal sense of nationalism. This article briefly reviews the establishment of the CPPL, its correlation to nationalism and the ambition of wielding soft power through global performances of Korean traditional music. It further provides two examples of performances aimed at foreign audiences and offers suggestions for the increased effectiveness of future performances abroad.

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