BTS Revives 'Arirang': The Global Phenomenon of Korean Sorrow—Al-irang, Arida, and the Legend of Arang
The news that BTS chose 'Arirang'
as the theme for their 5th studio album and subsequent world tour sent shockwaves through the global music
industry.
By reinterpreting a folk song that flows through the deepest subconscious of Koreans with modern beats,
they have once again proven that "the most Korean is the most
global".
ARMYs worldwide are now singing along to "Arirang" in stadiums,
curious about the profound meaning hidden within its lyrics and
melody.
What exactly is Arirang that it touches hearts across borders and races so intensely?
1. 'Al-irang': A Journey of Hope and the Laborer's Anthem
One of the most humanistic interpretations of Arirang’s etymology is the 'Al-irang' theory.
Here, 'Al' refers to the "cream of the crop"—the most precious individuals in a village, namely the young men and women.
Imagine these 'Al's crossing a mountain pass hand-in-hand (irang means 'with').
This theory suggests that Arirang began as an expression of the tender emotions felt by couples who slipped away from the watchful eyes of the village to find a quiet moment together across the hills. Over time,
this song spread through the voices of itinerant vendors and peddlers who traveled across rugged mountain ranges with heavy packs.
with travelers humming,
"If I just get over this hill, I can spend sweet time with my beloved 'Al'."
As these melodies reached each new village,
the locals sang along, turning the 'mountain pass' into a symbol of the
'hardships endured for the sake of hope' in the Korean
psyche.
2. 'Arida' and 'Sseurida': The Aesthetic of Internal Aching
On the other hand,
music experts and linguists focus on the sharp pain embedded in the melody,
suggesting it derives from the emotional adjectives 'Arida' (to ache/sting)
and 'Sseurida'
(to be bitter/sore).
The archaic form of 'Arida' is 'Alh-ida,' rooted in the verb 'Alh-ta' (to suffer from an illness),
combined with the suffix '-rang' to create 'Arirang.'
Essentially, an old way of saying "my heart stings" might have been
"my heart is
arirang-ing."
The refrain 'Arari-ga natne' can be interpreted as a "heartache" or
"internal sickness" that has broken out like a fever.
Translated into modern sentiment,
it becomes a devastating song of parting:
"Stinging and bitter is my heartache; I cross the hill while moaning in pain.
" This melody, where external sting (arida) and internal psychological bitterness (sseurida) intersect,
perfectly illustrates the unique Korean sentiment of 'Han'—a sorrow that is not just felt, but endured and
transcended.
3. The Legend of Arang, the Beloved 'Nim', and the Tungusic Welcome
The origins of Arirang also trace back to specific historical figures and ancient languages.
A prominent legend from Miryang tells of 'Arang,' a young woman
who was wrongfully killed; the song is said to have originated to appease her spirit.
translating to a call for a
'Beautiful Beloved'.
Fascinatingly, traces of this word extend beyond the peninsula into the continent.
In the language of the Evenki people (a Tungusic ethnic group),
'Arirang' reportedly means 'to welcome/receive' or 'to accept parting and sorrow with endurance.'
This suggests a grand possibility:
Arirang is not just a song of the Korean Peninsula,
but a vessel for the universal human emotions of greeting and parting passed down from ancient Northern nomadic tribes.
Conclusion: A Song for All of Us
In the end, there is no single,
definitive "correct" etymology for Arirang.
Whether it is 'Al-irang' (crossing with a lover),
a stinging 'heartache,' or an ancient 'welcome,'
perhaps the specific meaning matters less than the fact that for thousands of years,
Koreans have kept this melody close during their hardest and most joyful moments.
Now, riding the massive wave of BTS, Arirang is evolving from a local
folk song into a
'Hymn of Consolation'
shared by all of humanity.
[Jena’s Reflection: The Resonance of Arirang]
As a music director who has conducted countless stages,
I find Arirang possesses a truly mysterious power.
The subtle 'tremors' and 'breaks' (kkeok-eum) in its notes are realms
that cannot be reached through artificial practice alone.
Encountering Arirang again later in life,
it feels like the protagonist of a film script I shadow every day—a pearl that only begins to shine after enduring the rough storms of time.
When BTS performed Arirang during this tour,
the reason fans shed tears wasn't necessarily because they understood every
lyric.
It was because they felt the 'curves of life' melted into the rise and fall of the notes.
Even for me, as I hum this song while walking along the beach,
I find hope that crossing this current 'hill' will lead to a better 'Al-irang' waiting on the other side.
What kind of Arirang is flowing through your heart today?
Did you know that Arirang is actually connected to the divine?
In my next post,
I'll uncover the secrets of Arirang related to the Gods! ^^
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| A woman conducting the musical sentiments of 'Han' (deep sorrow) and 'Heung' (spontaneous joy/high spirits). |