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As interest in Korean language education and Korean culture steadily increases across the globe, there is a growing need for “immersive cultural education” that goes beyond simple language acquisition. In particular, intangible cultural heritage, like traditional music, plays a key role in shaping Korea’s history and identity, with music, unlike language, working as an intuitive means of communication that transcends national borders. In this context, this project aims to effectively introduce Korean traditional culture to the world by developing digital content, establishing a mobile app, and offering workshops at music education institutions in France on the topic of the royal ancestral ritual music performed at Jongmyo Jeryeak, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Development of Digital Education Content The first stage of the project was the creation of video content that could easily convey the historical, cultural, and musical value of Jongmyo Jeryeak. The videos, made available via YouTube, provide explanations alongside the actual instrument performance and aim to conveying the form and significance of the ritual music, which can easily seem complicated, in a friendly and immersive way. The content was designed with a broad target audience in mind, including both children and adult students, as well as educators. These videos have been utilized in classes for music educators in France. The Expandability of Mobile Applications To supplement the video content and support students’ self-study, a mobile app especially for the project was also developed. The app, which contains interpretations of the musical pieces and introductions to the instruments of Jongmyo Jeryeak, is organized so that users can browse and study the content themselves. In particular, the app’s development was led by one of the project’s principle investigators, Park Su-hui, who is a certified practitioner of Jongmyo jeryeak. Through this, we have set up a system that allows cultural heritage experts to continually lead the updates and maintenance of the content.

Personalized Local Workshops and Educational Training

One of the projects’ key elements are practical workshops that go beyond theory-based study. A workshop was held at the Conservatoire d’Antibes in southern France, in which students and educators were given the opportunity to play simple melodies of the ritual music on Korean traditional instruments. Beyond a simple instrument experience, the workshop allowed participants to directly feel the Confucian values within the music, the symbolism of the ritual ceremonies, and the artistic identity of Korea. Thus, the workshop can be considered not merely a music class, but rather a “transplantation of cultural sensibility.”

Project Effects and Potential for Expansion

This project is of high educational and cultural significance in terms of the preservation and transmission of traditional culture and the fusion of digital technology. Jongmyo Jeryeak was naturally incorporated into the local curriculum through collaboration with music conservatories in France, while the educational content was made accessible without the limitation of time and space through the mobile app. Furthermore, based on collected participant feedback, we are considering the development and expansion of features in the app, including quizzes, an AR instrument experience, and virtual participation in the ritual. We also plan to expand cooperation with cultural institutions both within and outside Korea.

Conclusion

Tradition is not simply the preservation of the past, but is the vital force that connects the present and future. Jongmyo Jeryeak contains this essence of this tradition. This project demonstrates the potential and expandability of introducing this heritage to young people across the globe. Going forward, we hope for the further promotion of more multifaceted projects that combine both digital cultural content and local educational activities. In particular, the continued support of government and public institutions will be a key force in the spread of global Korean Studies.