This summer, South Korea was pounded by frequent heavy rains. On such rainy days, Koreans savor the traditional taste of domestic pancakes cooked with seafood and chopped Korean leek called “buchu.” But the name of this green varies according to different regions.

While it’s called “jeongguji” in Gyeongsang Province, it’s referred to as “sol” in Jeolla Province. Residents in Jeju Island call it “se-ori.” In the old days, regional dialects developed independently due to the lack of exchanges between different areas as high-rising mountains and rivers blocked the way.

It’s not only the words that are different but also the intonations that vary from region to region. Therefore, even the same expression can imply different sentiments. Such regional personality and differences are reflected in minyo, or folk songs.

In today’s edition, we’ll listen to three folk songs unique to each region. The first song in our program is a music piece enjoyed in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Reflecting the urbane features of Seoulites, the tune is sung smoothly with a clear and fine voice. The first music piece is Gyeonggi Japga Yusanga sung by Lee Chun-hui.

Gyeonggi Japga Yusanga / Sori by Lee Chun-hui

Yusanga is a music piece that depicts people going hiking on the mountain to relish spring alongside the blossoming flowers that began to bloom after a long winter.

The term Minyo, or folk song, often refers to the tunes that commoners can easily enjoy anytime, anywhere. However, melodies that are categorized as folk songs but are performed by professional sori singers are called “japga.”

In the case of Gyeonggi japga, one sori singer sits upright as if in a picture and performs in a refined way. Because it’s sung in a bright and elegant way, it feels like as if even a sad song could be forgotten with just a teardrop.

On the other hand, Namdo minyo, or southern region folk songs, are sung with a low and deep voice which seems to move the hearts of the listeners deeply. Usually namdo refers to the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula, including Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do, and even Jeju Island. But Namdo minyo is centered on Jeolla Province.

Although Jeolla-do is a bountiful region with vast rice paddies and waters around the province, regular people in the areas, on the contrary, also had to endure the continuous looting and pillaging committed by government administrators and the privileged. Oftentimes, commoners starved despite the bountiful fields that spread out in front of them.

So they sang in order to relieve such stress and deep resentment. And that’s why this Jeolla region is well-known as the “home of sori.” The representative music piece is “Yukjabaegi” which means to sing in six beats. Folk songs such as sinawi or pansori that were influenced by southern region minyo are also called yukjabaegi tori. This time, let’s listen to the southern region minyo “Yukjabaegi” performed by Seong Chang-sun and Oh Jeong-suk.

Namdo Minyo Yukjabaegi / Sori by Seong Chang-sun, Oh Jeong-suk

South Korea is well-known for its beautiful mountains that cover 70 percent of the peninsula. Most of them are situated along the eastern ridge of the country. This extended range of mountains is called “Baekdu-daegan” in Korean. Due to the high-rising peaks, provinces on the east of the mountain range such as Gangwon-do, Gyeongsang-do, and Hamgyeong-do used to mingle within the eastern region.

Befitting the rough mountainous regions, the accent of the regional dialects is very strong. That’s why songs in the region are not only dynamic but also cover a wide range of notes. The features of the sori in this region are referred to as “menari tori.” The expression menari refers to the songs that were sung while weeding rice paddies. They somehow produce a plaintive sensation.

Meanwhile, folk songs from provinces such as Hwanghae-do or Pyeongan-do in North Korea are called “Seodo minyo.” The unique features of the folk songs of this region are known as “susimga tori.” So, you can easily surmise that “Susimga” is the symbolic sori of the region.

Although Hwanghae-do and Pyeongan-do in the past enjoyed cultural prosperity with the royal palaces of Goryeo Kingdom in the region, people from the provinces were prohibited from taking up a public office during the Joseon era because they had followed the past dynasties.

The deep sorrow derived from their alienation was expressed in Susimga. The lyrics usually depict the longing feeling for loved ones. This time let’s listen to Seodo minyo “Susimga.”

Susimga of Seodo Folk Song / Sori by Oh Bok-nyeo, Shin Jeong-ae, Yu Ji-suk

The sori, which sounded like letting out a deep sigh, gives listeners a sorrowful sensation.

Since minyo is mostly enjoyed by powerless commoners, many selections in the genre are about the deep grief regular people feel. But as I said before, just complaining and lamenting one’s miserable situation doesn’t fit the characteristics of the Korean people. After relieving one’s sorrow through minyo, commoners could boost their spirits with a thrilling beat and were able to regain the strength to live their lives.

Next time, we’ll learn about the songs to sing while working.