Arirang: Folksong Beyond the Lyrics

We often hear people say that music transcends any race, language, or ideology. “Arirang”, a Korean folk song, does just that. In its origin and history, the song is filled with symbolic expressions. It is a song that not only embraces emotions of sorrow and anger, but also happiness and joy.

“Arirang” has been sung for over many generations. A curious fact about the song is that the folk song’s origin is unknown. Studies of “Arirang” have been going on since the 1930s, but there are over 20 stories relating to its birth, and no one knows which of these is true. These numerous stories may be the reason for its such non-static characteristics—various versions exist depending on the regions of Korea. There are over 3,000 versions of lyrics and 50 versions of melody. The three most widely sung “Arirangs” are “Jeongseon Arirang,” “Jindo Arirang,” and “Miryang Arirang.”

Image courtesy Miryang Arirang Festival

The Silent Protests

“Arirang” was sung long before the film of the same title directed by Na Unkyu popularized the song in the 1920s.

During the 30+ years of Japanese colonization of Korea (1910-1945), Koreans were prohibited from singing the Korean national anthem. And when “Arirang” went viral, people started to sing it as a replacement of the official national anthem. For them, “Arirang” became their way of resisting the Japanese government and their effort to show their patriotism for their home country.

Looking at the Lyrics

The most widely known version of “Arirang” is the standard “Arirang”: 

[Refrain]

Arirang, arirang, arariyo.

You are going over Arirang hill.

My love, you are leaving me 

Your feet will be sore before you go ten ri.

Just as there are many stars in the clear sky,

There are also many dreams in our heart.

There, over there, that mountain is Baekdu Mountain,

Where, even in the middle of winter days, flowers bloom.

The refrain has the same lyrics throughout all versions. The “Arirang Pass,” or more accurately Arirang hills, symbolize all the ups and downs of life that people lived, representing the despair and tragedy of the past that people overcame through time. The people crossed the hills to walk a long way, whether it may be to find success, to find a job, or to flee the chaotic war scene. For the independence activists who were fighting against Japan, these were hills of revolution.

Just as this version does, most “Arirang” reveal the sorrow of separation from their loved ones. During the colonization and the war, many people migrated to foreign countries in hopes of finding a better quality lifestyle, away from enforcements, and in hopes that they will be paid appropriately for the work they do. The division of Korea separated families. Until his death in 2008, my grandfather himself wished to reunite with his siblings who survived the war and were left in the North since the war separated them. The colonization, war, and division of the country caused so much damage to the psychology and the hearts of ordinary people. With such long years of tragic history, it is no surprise that so many Koreans today have han, an emotion of deeply embedded, unresolved longing, sorrow, regret, and pain, which is expressed in not only the lyrics and melodies of “Arirang,” but also the techniques and methods of how the song has been sung. 

In the Past: Surviving Everyday—Persevering

“Arirang” has never been consciously learned. Children in Korea have grown up with it. In the past, the song was always there in the lives of Koreans. It has been in their everyday life events acting as a strength to survive the times of deprivation, hunger, and cold that were left after the colonization and the Korean War. “Arirang” was sung by ordinary people when women were doing their house chores and fieldwork and when in-laws enforced more chores upon them (Koreans had a complicated relationship with their in-laws). “Arirang” was there to sing when men were forced to serve (working for) the Japanese employers who conquered and destroyed their home country. “Arirang” was a song that consolidated the hearts of the many who lost their homes, families, culture, and identity as Koreans during this era. It was not just the words of the song but the spirit of people’s tenacity and the swallowing of tears that have been passed on.

Image courtesy UNESCO

Today: In Celebration of Achievement and Overcoming Challenges of Life

Korea achieved rapid economic and social development starting in 1961 when the military government of Park Chunghee came into power. Large businesses and conglomerates, such as Hyundai Motors, Samsung, LG, and Lotte, exist today because of Park's effort to bring modernization to Korea. The businesses provided work opportunities as well as chances to train techniques. Having had worse in the past, Korea mostly had only to celebrate. Today, “Arirang” is sung more frequently in various genres and forms to share joy and happiness rather than to express sorrows and regrets. 

In 2014, for the closing performance of the Sochi Paralympics, Korean traditional singer (gukak (국악)) Song Sohee sang beautiful melodies of “Arirang” as the prosthetic hand painter, Seok Changwoo filled a large sheet of blank paper with fluid strokes of ink painting. The performances harmoniously came together with traditional Korean dancers and wheelchair dancers to complete the introduction of the next host country of the Paralympics.

BTS reinterpreted four versions of the “Arirang” medley as the opening performance of the 2016 KCON in France. Throughout the performances, they included choreographs from Korean traditional tal-chum (a dance performed wearing masks). All the K-Pop artists who participated in KCON joined BTS on stage, emphasizing “Arirang”’s core of “togetherness.” Having shared much history, Koreans have a deep understanding and faith in being “one” that still exists today. BTS’s grand opening of the “Arirang” performance was definitely perfected with their synchronized dance moves and modern pop/electronic arrangements.

Most recently, in commemoration of Korea’s March 1 independence movement, A.C.E released a performance video of “Jindo Arirang.” A.C.E’s performance was also a part of KCON 2021. While BTS’s stage in 2016 delivered a message of longing for reunification and togetherness, A.C.E’s performance had much more emphasis on every aspect of the stage design being in classic Korean style. The stage and the performance video had touches of Korean culture in all areas: choreography, costume, and even music. The Korean traditional instruments mixed in with the elegant but modern arrangements, giving something uniquely Korean to the audience. Each A.C.E member’s voice also seemed to mingle well with classic Korean tunes. Their dance moves wearing han-sam (sleeve garment at the edge of the shirt or jeo-go-ri) in their traditional costume create a powerful aesthetic balance between traditional and modern beauty. I dare say, A.C.E’s version of “Arirang” is the most immaculate and sophisticated of all those rearranged and performed in contemporary style.

Through these various genres and media forms, their ancestor’s history lives on, passing on the spirit and mentality to give hope and strength to the younger generation to overcome any hurdles. As a designated UNESCO and with “Arirang”’s message of hoping to be one, the song crosses borders, sharing these values with people all around the world.  

Final Thoughts: Young Generation Koreans, Their Responsibility, and Roles

While “Arirang” is sung mostly in celebration of national achievements now, if not once in a while in commemoration of past tragedy, the young generation of Koreans should take a moment to contemplate the value of “Arirang” that they sing so subliminally. What does the song represent and why is it so important that the people pass on this legacy to the next generation?