Samul nori is the Korean percussion ensemble tradition often featured in Chuseok cultural performances.
Samul nori literally refers to playing four things and is built around four traditional percussion instruments: the kkwaenggwari gong, the jing gong, the janggu hourglass drum, and the buk barrel drum. Performers create layered rhythms, changes in tempo, and coordinated movements.
The modern stage form was developed in 1978 by Kim Duk-soo and other performers. It drew on older Korean farmers’ music, especially pungmul and nongak, but adapted that material for concert halls and formal performances. It later became an internationally recognized Korean performance style.
Samul nori is not the same as talchum, which centers on masked dance and drama, or pansori, which centers on narrative singing. At Chuseok, percussion ensembles may perform in public festivals, cultural events, and community programs celebrating Korean heritage.