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Arirang, one of few folk songs which every Korean can sing, is known even among foreigners.
In 1976, the Mauriat orchestra recorded "Eastern Love Song" and then corrected the title to Arirang after an appeal by a pro-Korean American.
The text of "Eastern Love Song" is the story of a disappointed maiden who hopes that her departing sweetheart will have sore feet before he has gone ten li (about two and a half miles) and have to return to her.
Her plaintive words and the charming melody account for its status as the most popular of all Korean songs.
The Seventh Division of the United States Forces in Korea arranged for Arirang to be its march song after obtaining permission form Dr. Syngman Rhee, the first president (1948-1960) of the Republic of Korea, in appreciation of the division's heroic exploits in the Korean War (1950-53).
The United Nations command, mostly comprising American troops, has since been stationed in Korea to defend freedom in this part of the world. Perhaps every foreigner who has visited this country associates Korea with Arirang, which sounds somewhat sad, yet is mingled with sentimental emotions along with its largo or andante tempo.
Every Korean knows the Arirang song and all join in its refrain. Improved verses are added ad infinitum.
The refrain "Arirang, Arirang" is found in every version. but numerous versions have their own words composed by singers hoping to present their personal ideas.
If a singer is Korean, he readily sings it with or without accompaniment.
It is performed in playhouses; theaters now present it in various forms; and records blare its words all over the land.
Wherever Koreans, are the lovely melody of Arirang which comprehends love, spite, happiness and sadness is sure to be heard. Chirchik Arirang is sung by Korean-Soviets at Chirchik, Tashkent Oblast (administrative region) in the Uzbek Socialist Republic and Korean-Chinese sing Yanbin Arirang in Yabin Chaoxianzu Zizhizhou in Manchuria.
Arirang doesn't have a fixed form.
It has various melodies and forms arranged by residents in various regions.
The most popular melody, known simply as "arirang" is strictly speaking Kyonggi Arirang, which is merely one of some 3,000 versions.
Arirang known in foreign countries is mostly the theme song of Korea's first motion picture, "Arirang" produced in 1926, which gained tremendous popularity by depicting the sorrow welling up within Koreans under the Japanese colonial rule.
Besides Kyonggi Arirang, there are various versions : Chongsun Arirang, Miryang Arirang, Chindo Arirang, keen ("long" in English) Arirang, Shin ("new") Arirang and so on. Among others, Ullungdo Arirang features lonely human life on a remotely isolated island in the East Sea.
What is the origin of Arirang?
One version say that Arirang originated from the time when Hungson Taewongun, father of King Kojong, the next to the last king of the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), was rebuilding Kyoungbok Palace in 1865, which had been destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598 led by warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi. the story also says that compulsory laborers conscripted across the country consoled themselves with songs and one of them, Arirang, became widely known to people after they returned home.
Another version hold that the song has existed since the Silla Dynasty or more than 1,000 years ago.
The original version used the words "Aryong Arirang" in praise of the virtue of Aryong, wife of the founder of the Silla Dynasty.
Over time, the words are said to have changed to the present refrain "Arirang, Arirang"
Outside the Small East Gate in Seoul is Arirang Gogae, a mountain pass.
According to the "Song of Arirang," (perhaps mispronounced for Korean a-rirang) published in 1941 in the United States, those who rose in revolt against the tyrannical government during the late Choson Dynasty were hanged from pine trees located atop Arirang Gogae.
The author of "Song of Arirang," Nym Wales, reportedly wrote the book relying on remarks by a Korean anarchist during the 1930s.
Why should the pass be called Arirang Gogae? A folklorist says : "As for Koreans, Arirang Gogae means a separation spot from this world, that is to say, an imaginary rendezvous with the other world. It is a boundary between this world and dream land"
Under the Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), Koreans shed tears of national indignation singing Arirang, which for them symbolized the country.
The Korean liberation Army in Manchuria, China, and Korean patriots like Dr. Syngman Rhee in Hawaii and other U.S. territories swore to realize their wish of liberation from Japan singing Kwangbokgun (Liberation Army) Arirang. The version melody represents a steadfast desire for victory against the enemy through trials and tribulations.
Arirang has reflected both Korea's modern history and the personal lives of Koreans for a long time.
"It is not without good reason that this song should meet with public favor, that is to say, coincide with Koreans' emotions and concur with current ideas." said Kim Youn-gap, an expert on Arirang.
The overwhelming words of Arirang have contents related with singers' personal lives, even though they sometimes express patriotism, the tragic Korean War and Japanese annexation of their country.
The folk song is enough to be called a 'personal song' Kim adds.
Korean may sing the folk song for enjoyment or to show what they're thinking.
Their complex feelings about life can be comforted by revealing their innermost thought.
Arirang also serves to make work more pleasant. Consequently, Arirang has a function in enabling those who sing it to lead more smooth and relaxed lives.
Even though there are some who dislike its sadness and lack of spirit, perhaps everyone can agree that the song is suit-able for the Korean people.
In 1985, when the separated families between South and North Korea and art troupes visited each other's capital.
Seoul and Pyongyang, for first time since the tragic division of the peninsula in 1945, Arirang was able to gain the sympathy of all Korean - South and North. Arirang was sung in Pongyang by an art troupe from Seoul when it visited the North Korean capital in 1985 during homework visits by separated family member.
Now, there is new Arirang in South Korea - unification Arirang - which was performed at the 1st Arirang Festival in Seoul in April. Arirang be Unification Song of the peninsula!
YONHAP NEWS AGENCY