The National Gugak Center, located in Seoul, South Korea, is the primary institution of learning for Korean traditional music , including both court music and folk music. It was founded in 1951 through a merger of Korean musical organizations. It is dedicated to "preserving and promoting traditional Korean music." Through academic courses, private study, ensembles, research, and performances, it preserves Korea's ancient musical traditions, including the ancient court ritual music called aak as well as the ritual music performed for the Jongmyo (royal ancestral shrine) and the Munmyo (Confucian shrine).

Historical musical organizations

While Korean court music dates back to the music institute of the Silla kingdom in the 7th century, the present is the direct successor to the Jangakwon music institution of the Joseon Dynasty. Jangakwon went through various name changes until 1945: The Music Department of the Former Royal Household merged with other Korean music organizations in 1951 to form the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts (Gugnip Gugakwon 국립국악원 國立國樂院). In 2010 the English name was officially shortened to the National Gugak Center while the Korean name remained unchanged.

Other

In 2018, the organization added fifty more types of sounds and instruments to their repertoire as the pop song "Idol", which includes some instruments.