Korea is one of the countries with more musical resources than most of the other countries.
In Korea there are many, meanwhile excellent classical musicians, there are Jazz musicians and a blossoming pop scene and - there is Gugak (original korean music). Where else you could find so many music styles on such a small area? A musical paradise - you would say - if all music styles would cooperate a lot. Unfortunately the reality is not like this. Still there are more reservations towards the others than interest. Many classical musicians have a low opinion about Gugak, I heard opinions like:
"Gugak is limited - it's all the same" or "Gugak is ethno music" or just "Gugak is garbage".
Gugak musicians are often very nationalistic and they regard classical music as the culture of the imperialistic west, and korean classical musicians just "ate too much butter".
The only thing which could make to forget all this fights is success outside of Korea. That's very inconsistent but fact. If you get appreciation in the US or Europe, no matter if it is classics, jazz or k-pop you will be automatically a star in Korea. Unfortunately there had been no Gugak musician yet who made it to a big star in the west. (about the reasons I wrote in the post "Realität")
It is time for a Gugak-star! This would be maybe the way to unite the korean music scene to one of the richest and most capable music culture in the world.
