Reflexive Essay: Traditional Instruments in Kpop

     Traditional Instruments In Kpop

     Today in modern Korean popular music traditional instruments are used to enhance the feel of the music to the listener.  However, most of the time the listener does not hear the traditional instrument and/or is lacking the knowledge to know what instrument is being played.  Some people believe that the only reason kpop artists use traditional instruments in songs is to make themselves exotic to foreign listeners. But the use of traditional instruments could also be used as a sign of Korean nationalism.  Most of the time traditional instruments will be paired with electronic noise to give the song a modern vibe. After participating in Dr. Saeji’s kpop class I have been able to better hear the sound of traditional music in Kpop and have a better understanding of what the instrument is, thus giving me a better appreciation for Korean history and how it is used in popular music.

    Prior to coming to Korea I would listen to multiple types of Korean music, from pop to rap.  Most of the time while listening to these songs I would hear what would sound like a traditional instrument, but did not care enough to research more about what the instrument is, how it is played, and its significance in Korean history.  On the first class of Dr. Saeji’s kpop class we learned about 국악 (gukak; Korean traditional music) as well as the traditional instruments. Then on the last week of class we listened to multiple songs that contained traditional instruments.  One song we played was Turtleship by Ja Mezz from the show Show Me The Money, Season 4. When I first listened to this song I heard the sound of a traditional instrument, but did not research further. After class I learned that the instrument is a 가야금 (gayageum) a traditional chordophone played with two hands.  After learning this information I am more perceptive of hearing traditional instruments in popular songs.

    Learning about Korean traditional instruments has changed how I listen to Kpop.  When I go back home to the States and listen to my Kpop songs I will pay more attention to see if I can hear traditional instruments and if so if I can identify what instrument is being played.  The knowledge of traditional instruments has also helped me to becoming more interested in Korean history and how history is incorporated into Kpop.