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Korean literature

In Korean literature: Poetry
…group of poetic songs called akchang was written to celebrate the beginning of the new dynasty. In its earliest examples the form of akchang was comparatively free, borrowing its style from early Chinese classical poetry. Whereas the early akchang are generally short, the later Yongbi ŏch’ŏn ka consists of 125…
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In Korean literature: Early Chosŏn: 1392–1598
The form known as akchang emerged at this time, of which Yongbi ŏch’ŏn ka is an example; these texts, which were intended to accompany court music and to celebrate the inauguration of the new dynasty, were composed in the vernacular and culminated in the work of Chŏng To-Jŏn and…
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pyŏlgok

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pyŏlgok

Korean verse form

Also known as: changga, yoyo

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Plural:: pyŏlgok

Also called:: changga

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pyŏlgok, Korean poetic form that flourished during the Koryŏ period (935–1392). Of folk origin, the pyŏlgok was sung chiefly by women performers (kisaeng) and was intended for performance on festive occasions. The theme of most of these anonymous poems is love, and its joys and torments are expressed in frank and powerful language. The pyŏlgok is characterized by the presence of a refrain either in the middle or at the end of each stanza. The refrain not only establishes a mood or tone that carries the melody and spirit of the poem but also serves to link the discrete parts and contents of the poem. The pyŏlgok entitled “Tongdong” (“Ode on the Seasons”) and “Isanggok” (“Winter Night”) are among the most moving love lyrics in the Korean language.

akchang

Learn about this topic in these articles:

Korean literature

pyŏlgok