Traditional Korean music is very distinctive and had its own umbrella term in Korea called gugak (국악). Gugak is not just one genre but encompasses many different musical styles such as folk music, official music for state events, traditional buddhist music, and poetic songs. Even within each of these styles exists different genres that all represent different trends and eras of Korean history. One song that is widely attributed to Korean culture is Arirang (아리랑). This song is often termed the unofficial anthem of Korea and although its exact roots are uncertain, it is thought to come from the Jangwon province in South Korea. It is a folk song with a gentle and lyrical melody with tones of longing and suffering. The title itself, “arirang,” is not a real Korean word but is a nonsensical term which implies the unique tone of the song. A very well known verse is the first verse translated as “My sweetheart is leaving alone after abandoning me | Your feet will ache terribly before walking ten miles.” Although there is no single interpretation of the song, it tells the general story of two lovers who are separated and feel sadness and longing for one another, but are eventually reunited. However, the song Arirang is a symbol with a larger meaning that represents the sufferings and strong unity of the Korean people. The song has witnessed the highs and lows of Korean history such as colonization and war but also independence and victory. The song is performed by singers and often backed up with traditional instruments such as the janggu (hourglass drum), piri (flute), and gayageum (string instrument) that give gugak songs their distinct sound. Arirang can be classified as pansori (판소리) which is a style of folk song involving a solo singer, backup traditional instrumentals, and tells a story through singing. Pansori is very important to Korean culture as it keeps the oral tradition/oral history alive.
Another widely known gugak song is the Korean national anthem called Aegukga (애국가). The title of the song itself literally translates to “the patriotic song” or “song expressing love for one's country.” The lyrics of this song were written sometime around 1902 and the song was a part of multiple patriotic songs meant to inspire love and allegiance to the country during wartime. This meaning is clearly written in the fourth verse of the song translated as, “With this spirit and this mind, give all loyalty, in suffering or in joy, to the love of country.” The song was sung to the melody of the Scottish folk song “Auld Lang Syne” but the melody was rewritten in 1935 by composer Ahn Eak-tai. The lyrics include many important symbols of Korea such as Mount Baekdusan and the East Sea.
Korean traditional songs (gugak) play the important role of telling the story of Korea’s history over the generations as well as keeping these cultural artforms alive. There are many schools that perform gugak and children are taught many gugak songs as well in order to preserve this important musical tradition.
https://koreankulture.com/en/korean-culture/
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/arirang-folk-song-in-the-democratic-people-s-republic-of-korea-00914
https://www.mois.go.kr/eng/sub/a03/nationalSymbol_2/screen.do
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