In the history of Korea, music was a major source of entertainment for all social classes. The elite class mostly sang difficult and musically complex songs, while the commoners would enjoy their simple folk tunes. It was soon after North and South Korea had gone under separation in 1953, due to the previous Japanese and Soviet Union invasion, when the emergence of different types of music had occurred. The Pansori is a traditional vocal performance, describing the stories of love and satires passed down from generations; Pungmul and Nongak are types of folk music sung in Korea, but the latter is more superstitiously-based.
The “Arirang” is arguably the most popular folk song in Korea. It is considered to be the representation of Korea’s history, present, and future, along with the lives and feelings of all its citizens. The lyrics within the song describe the hopes of a young maiden that her love will have sore feet, so he must return to her. The piece has varied overtime, each person changing the melody and rhythm to his or her liking; that is, to express their ideas about the country. Koreans sing the song, with or without accompaniment, in order to relieve stress or to exemplify their thoughts on life; therefore, it is believed that the song originated in the 1800s, when times were difficult to live a good life.
Eun Se-Na’s goyageum performance of the “Arirang” is an example of the folk song with her own improvisations and changes within the song, though she does not sing the lyrics of the piece.
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