Introducing Arirang

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Understanding the Scope of Korea’s Beloved Folk Song

Warm-Up Question: WHat are some Folk songs that you know?

American Folk Song Examples:

• This Land is Your Land
• Oh, Susanna
• Oh My Darling
• She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
• Yankee Doodle
• Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

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British Folk Song Examples:

• Greensleeves
• Drunken Sailor
• Ye Banks and Brae O Bonnie Doon
• Loch Lomond
• Auld Lang Syne
• Scarborough Fair

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Every country and people group have their own folk songs, which are passed on throughout generations.

Korean Folk song

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The most well-known folk song in Korea is known as:

Arirang

What is Arirang?

Arirang is the name of Korea’s most well-known folk song and has become the unofficial national anthem of Korea.

Arirang is an expression of the Korean people to convey life experiences, such as hardship, love, joy, sorrow, and achievement.

Arirang is sung differently around the Korean peninsula. There are 60 main versions of the songs from different villages and provinces, and 3,600 different variations!

The Story of Arirang

Different Versions of Arirang around the Peninsula

How many main versions of Arirang exist?

How many variations of Arirang exist?

60

3,600

Seo-do Arirang is from the Northwest region of Korea, in North Korea.

Chuncheon Arirang is from the Central region of Korea, in South Korea.

Dokdo Arirang is from the Eastern most island of Korea, in South Korea.

What are Some Similarities and differences between the three versions of Arirang?

Arirang Differences

• While there are many variations of Arirang around the peninsula, the songs also have many similar themes.

• Each Arirang version has it’s own melody and different lyrics.

• The lyrics were created based on people’s experiences and feelings. Since people lived in different areas, (i.e. by the sea or in the mountains) the song lyrics changed based on their life.

Arirang Similarities

• Nearly every Arirang song follows the same form: Chorus followed by a Verse.

• The Chorus typically includes lyrics of Ariang/Ari.

• The lyrics of most Arirang songs typically include themes about overcoming difficulties in life.

Arirang is an Expression

• Over the centuries (~1000 AD), Arirang became a way for people to express the difficulties and even the joys of life through the song.

• Korean people used Arirang as a way to convey life experiences, such as hardship, love, joy, sorrow, and achievement.

If you wrote a song to express your life experiences, what would you sing about?

Translating the Lyrics Tell Us about the Theme

“Arirang” does not have a direct translation because it is an ancient term. However, scholars believe the theme of the songs have these possible meanings:

“Let’s endure, let’s endure. There’s a complicated thing that has happened here. Because our loved one is leaving us, let’s endure this sad separation and emotion.”

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“My beautiful beloved, who I long for, I will persevere through my longing for you.”

“Let’s go over Arirang Hill. I am crossing the mountain pass, I am overcoming these hard times.”

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What do these Themes tell us about the Korean People and life in the past?

Arirang will always be Korea’s main folk song to express the highs an lows of life throughout generations.

Arirang, Ari, Ari, Ariang. Ari, Ari

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon, infographics & images by Freepik

References

전통공연예술진흥재단. 2014. “The Story of Arirang.” YouTube video, 8:09. May 28, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxxpFegNLik.

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Chosunmusicroom. 2008. “DPRK Music A-12 서도아리랑 SuhDo Arirang.” YouTube video, 2:27. December 23, 2008. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQumH9DAPOY.

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LEE SEUNGCHUL. 2014. “이승철 홀로아리랑 (Holo Arirang song by LEE SEUNGCHUL).” YouTube video, 4:42. August 24, 2014.

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강원문화콘텐츠. 2021. “2021강원의병아리랑 춘천의병아리랑.” YouTube video, 5:38. December 27, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFpwYH2NKgE&t=1.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtFm5eKLTN4.

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