The Korea Times

Those of you who read Arirang: The Bamboo Connection might be surprised to note that the managing executive director of Korea Times quotes D. K. Christi...I was thrilled!





D. K. Christi, the author of “Arirang: The Bamboo Connection,” says, “Arirang becomes a metaphor for the sadness of Japanese occupation, the separated Koreas and revolts against tyranny. The origin may be nearly thousand years old, incorporating many emotions of love, spite, joy and pain.”

Debates still surround the meaning of “Arirang.” Many Korean mountains have “Arirang,” and thus, it is generally translated as “pass.” However, many believe “Arirang” symbolizes an expression of intense emotion rather than a specific meaning.

Christi adds, “Arirang embodies multiple human emotions, expressed over time. It is believed that every Korean can sing a version, with or without accompaniment, from children to the melancholy elderly. Regardless of the version, the pain of separation, generating intense emotions, is evident. Some versions impart longing for freedom, escape from the intense sadness through an expression of the deepest love. Singing Arirang is cathartic, an opportunity to purge personal pain and express deep emotions. It provides an outlet to express complicated feelings and then find a measure of release. Many complex, historical Korean events are felt through a version of Arirang, also reflecting the incomprehensible emotions of the Korean people. A new unification version, ‘Unification Arirang,’ represents the hope for a unified Korea.”

According to the CHAK, there are 3,600 folk songs with “Arirang” in their title and there are about 60 versions of the song. The CHAK states that the great virtue of the song is “its respect for human creativity, freedom of expression and empathy.” It adds, “Arirang has an evocative hymn with the power to enhance communication and unity among the Korean people, whether at home or abroad.”

According to the late H. B. Hulbert (1863-1949), an American missionary in Korea in 1896, “For Koreans, Arirang is Mother Goose’s Melody, a British Christmas pantomime; Byron’s poem; Uncle Remus, a fictional character of African-American folktales; and Poet William Wordsworth.”

The characters in “Arirang” do not pertain to a specific gender; the abandoned lover in the original song may be either a man or a woman.

Many skeptics say it would take some time to for “Arirang” to replace “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve. “The image of singing Arirang to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight seems awkward,” says a Seoulite, who wants to remain anonymous. “Arirang is too sad, melancholic, sentimental and passive. In addition, it may fan nationalism.”

A top-down approach to promote the song might backfire. Liberals might accuse President Park Geun-hye of propagating a national motto or spirit for unifying the people. During his 18-year rule, her father, the late President Park Chung-hee, successfully propagated the “sinpparam (high-spirited)” and “can-do spirit” in his historical New Community Movement.

Despite such skepticism, few doubt that “Arirang” is the song of Korea. Like K-Pop, “Arirang” may become well loved globally, the song both Koreans and foreigners sing at the stroke of midnight on the eve of the New Year. The replacement of “Auld Lang Syne” with “Arirang” worldwide would prove the Korean song’s global appeal, and consequently, help Koreans overcome cultural defeatism and imperialism, and polish Korea’s global image.

Lee Chang-sup is the executive managing director of The Korea Times. Contact him at editorial@koreatimes.co.kr.

Wow.  That's fantastic, DK.  I don't know how many on this forum read your book and can appreciate the dynamics of the story.  Have you thought about how you can use the Korean Times article for promotion?

Excellent, DK! You must be thrilled, and rightly so!  

Any suggestions to use it for promotion are appreciated

And that one should be a particularly powerful tool.

Since the book was published in 2006 and a hefty 500 pages (488), it makes me wonder how he happened to come upon it.  Probably searching on the net and perhaps the Google version that once provided an online opportunity to read the whole book.

Absolutely wonderful, DK.  Have to contacted him at the address he added? 
Perhaps the Southwest Spotlight could honor you by printing his remarks.  I wouldn't hurt.
Love,
Betty

Great idea, Betty.  Unfortunately, the Spotlight doesn't promote its feature writers beyond adding their name.  Additionally, they have hired additional writers lately which has cut into my earnings. I don't feel in a position to ask for anything but the next assignments...that's today's workplace.  It's an employer's market.