Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out why Whitney Houston gave healing to people around the world based on Shin Jae-hyo's gwangdaeron (clown theory). In Korean music, gwangdae (廣大, the title of clown) is a nickname dedicated to outstanding artists. Not only is it a clown that cannot be a person, but it does not give a clown a nickname for doing art activities. This is why Shin Jae-hyo, a pansori (Pansori epic chant) theorist and critic in the late 19th century of the Joseon Dynasty, presented the virtues of outstanding artists. There are four outstanding clown conditions claimed by Shin Jae-hyo: appearance (人物), words (辭說), perfect vocal music (得音) and wonderful movements (neoreumsae). These conditions show how difficult it is to be a gwangdae (a prominent artist), or an accomplished artist. We think Whitney Houston is a famous singer who fits these conditions. In her heyday, she was optimized for Shin Jae-hyo's clown theory, while her post-2007 moves are regrettable. However, it is clear that he is a singer who fits well with the title of America's greatest clown. In conclusion, I felt that the best emotion through music was the best healing, and that the best singer was becoming the best healer.