A Classification and Genre Characteristics of Performing Arts in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea

“Performing Arts in the Intangible Cultural Heritage” refers to the arts that perform intangible cultural heritages specified in the ?Act on the Safeguarding and Promotion of Intangible Cultural Heritage? to the audience on stage. This study is based on the necessity of raising awareness of the value of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage and reflects the needs of the times. Through this study, I aimed to build a humanistic database of related fields and to help rediscover the value of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage. The study of the characteristics of its genre through the classification, which is an essential element for the development of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage, is the first priority. First, the origins, concepts, characteristics, functions, history, and development of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage were examined in the chapter of Origin and History of Korean Traditional Performing Arts . Next, in the chapter of Types of the performing arts in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea , it is examined that the present situation and problems of the current classification, the improvement plan, and the suggestion on the new classification system. The problems of the current ‘traditional performances and arts in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage are as followed. To improve the mentioned problems, it is firstly suggested to establish the concept of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage, accepting the name of performing arts . Secondly, the top category of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage is divided into vocal music, dance, music, performance, and play. Thirdly, the minimum units that distinguish types of performing arts are defined as song, dance, music, comic song, and drama. As a result, it is established a total of 10 types of subclassification by combining these minimum units. Finally, elements of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage are separated and assigned independently such as Gayagum Sanjo and Gayageum Byeongchang, Piri Chungak and Daechwita, etc. Furthermore in the chapter of ‘Genre characteristics of the performing arts in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage, characteristics of its genre classified as ‘rituality’, ‘pungryu’, and ‘playfulness’. As a result, it is briefly summarized that the classification and genre characteristics of the performing arts in the intangible cultural heritage for its development. In this research, however, it is purposed to contribute to growing its ‘added value as cultural contents beyond its normative value which is originally possessed.