Pohang, South Korea – Mafo Laure, a Cameroonian-born, French national, has captured the hearts of many with her passionate pursuit of pansori, a traditional Korean musical storytelling genre. Laure, who was recently awarded the New Culture Artist Award at the 2024 Gender Equality Culture Awards, has shared her extraordinary journey from a corporate executive to a renowned pansori performer.
Laure's fascination with Korean music began in 2015 when she was captivated by the songs of legendary Korean folk singers Kim Kwang-seok, Yang Hee-eun, and Lee Moon-se. This newfound interest led her to study Korean at the Korean Cultural Center, where she stumbled upon a performance by pansori master Min Hye-seong. The haunting melodies and powerful storytelling of pansori left a deep impression on her, inspiring her to pursue this unique art form.
Despite having a successful career in finance and working for companies like Coca-Cola and Samsung Electronics, Laure made the bold decision to leave everything behind and move to Korea to devote herself to learning pansori. “I was the odd one out in my family growing up,” she shared. “My mom was shocked when I told her I wanted to go to Korea. She said, ‘That’s the craziest thing you’ve ever said.’ But I knew I had to follow my heart.”
Laure faced considerable opposition from her friends and family, who questioned her decision to give up a stable career and move to a foreign country to pursue a seemingly unconventional path. However, her unwavering determination and passion for pansori eventually won them over.
In 2017, Laure finally arrived in Korea and began studying under master Min Hye-seong. She quickly immersed herself in the world of pansori, learning the intricate vocal techniques and the deep emotional resonance of the genre. Despite being a foreigner, Laure was able to connect with the concept of "han," a uniquely Korean emotion that encompasses sorrow, resentment, and a sense of deep-seated longing. She explained, “I believe that people in Cameroon can also understand 'han' because we have our own history of colonization.”
Laure's talent and dedication quickly gained recognition. In 2018, she was invited to perform pansori at the state dinner held during the Korea-France summit at the Élysée Palace. This prestigious opportunity came about after a French newspaper featured her story, inspiring the family of Emmanuel Macron's chief of staff to recommend her for the performance.
Despite the challenges she has faced, Laure remains passionate about promoting pansori both in Korea and abroad. She hopes to continue her studies at the graduate level and to create new works that combine traditional pansori with contemporary elements.
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