Traditional Korean music is based heavily upon Buddhist and native shamanistic beliefs. For example, traditional Korean music often includes Buddhist and shamanistic dancing and shamanistic drum music. Branching out of the of traditional Korean music is the folk music category. When we break down this category even more, we will discover that it is comprised of the Pansori, Nong-ak, and Sanjo.

The Pansori is generally comprised of two performers, one actor who also sings, and a drummer. Each Pansori performance lasts anywhere from 4-8 hours. When performing, the actor usually holds a handkerchief in one hand and a fan in the other for symbolic reasons. His/her performance consists of dialogue and narration as well as a great deal of acting and singing. At the same time, the drummer provides the necessary rhythmic patterns that correspond to the actor's performance. The drummer achieves this with a barrel headed drum called buk.

Nong-ak, or Pungmul, is another branch of Korean folk music that is a rural form of percussion music. It is generally performed outside and includes drumming, dancing, and singing. There are normally tens of players involved, all in constant motion during the performance. Pansori first began as something that was once performed during farm work, rural holidays, and shamanistic rituals. However, today it has evolved into being used during political protests and as a performing art form.

Sanjo is the last branch of Korean music. Developed around 1890, Sanjo first included drumming on the janggu, an hourglass-shaped drum. As the years progressed on, it expanded to other Korean instruments, one of which is the geomungo, a traditional stringed musical instrument.

Korean Pop, also known as K-pop, is the modern Korean music found today. Many artists and groups have branched out of South Korea and become popular in China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Phillipines, Thailand, and other areas in South East Asia. Under the heavy influence of Japanese pop songs, K-pop first surfaced in the 1930's. K-pop expanded even more during the 1950's and 1960's when Koreans were exposed to musical performances organized by the U.S. forces.

Many artists have had a great deal of international success. For example, BoA has become the highest-selling international artist in South Korea. This can be attributed to her success within the J-pop market. Additionally, artist such as Se7en and Rain have become well known throughout Eastern Asia after releasing albums outside of South Korea. Rain has also been featured in several Hollywood films.