ABSTRACT
There is an old Korean tale about a musician who was uncovered trying to pass himself off as a member of the aristocracy to gain free and presumably luxurious lodging for the night. The story comes from the nineteenth century, or perhaps before. At that time male musicians, typically known as kwangdae, would travel the countryside, singing or playing instruments for payment. Men did not cut their hair in adulthood, but gathered it together in a topknot. So, after washing in the morning, this kwangdae-in-disguise tied his topknot and then shook his head several times. He was observed, and immediately recognised as a musician. How? Well, a musician needed to ensure his topknot remained firmly secured under his wide-brimmed horsehair hat (kat), otherwise the hat would oscillate comically as he performed. Hence, what gave him away was that he shook his head to check his topknot was secure. He was given a beating and sent on his way by outraged hosts. 1
