The Royal Asiatic Society will host a lecture by traditional music professor Sheen Dae-cheol on two genres of Korean music ― “jeongak” and “minsogak.”

The lecture promises to contrast the two styles through the two faces of Korea commonly shown to the world ― “Land of the Morning Calm” and “Dynamic Korea.”

Sheen will explain how jeongak, meaning formal or “right” music, and minsogak, or folk music, share many characteristics, but differ in their aesthetics.

While jeongak requires a reserved approach, minsogak is much freer in expression, according to Sheen, who will explain how to recognize and appreciate these differences.

Sheen works at the graduate school of the Academy of Korean Studies and is president of the Korean Musicological Society and the author of books on traditional music.

The lecture takes place at Somerset House near Anguk Station on Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Attendance is free for RASKB members and 7,000 won for non-members.

(paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)