Research on the Protection Mechanisms of the Korean Heukgeum and the Chinese Erhu From the Perspective of Arts Management

This study conducts a comparative analysis of the protective mechanisms for the Korean Heukgeum and Chinese Erhu from an arts management perspective, exploring their evolutionary trajectories, policy frameworks, and strategies for addressing globalization. Drawing on policy network theory and cultural ecosystem models, the research reveals divergent approaches: South Korea maintains genre diversity through institutionalized “Important Intangible Cultural Property” designations, academic research, and technological innovation (e.g., AI-assisted improvisation systems). In contrast, China promotes “living inheritance” via the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law, integrating initiatives such as “intangible cultural heritage in schools” and cultural tourism. Both instruments face challenges of intergenerational discontinuity and Western aesthetic hegemony, though their responses differ significantly: South Korea emphasizes systematic protection rooted in technical rationality, while China prioritizes grassroots education and digital dissemination. Based on these findings, the study proposes an “ecological inheritance” model that advocates transnational collaboration, cross-cultural dialogue, and interdisciplinary innovation. By constructing a “system-technology-society” analytical framework, this research contributes theoretical insights to the preservation of East Asian intangible cultural heritage and practical implications for sustainable cultural cooperation.