With bands like BTS, Blackpink, and Stray Kids, Korean pop music has been on the rise for years now, since the Hallyu (Korean Wave) began in the early 2000’s. But what about more traditional forms of Korean music like Sinawi, Hyangak, and Pungmulnori?
Turns out Korean traditional music is very much alive here in Ottawa and last Friday evening local Samulnori group, Ottapae, visited Carleton to perform and to teach students in Carleton’s Korean classes something about this generations-old musical style.
The event was well-attended and students very much enjoyed the hands-on experience of playing traditional Korean percussion instruments like the janggu (hourglass drum) and buk (barrel drum).
“Breathing is how we move to the rhythm.”
Congratulations to the School’s Korean language instructors for organizing such a successful event. Also, much heartfelt gratitude to the members of Ottapae for their musical performance and for their gracious, generous, and genuine engagement with the audience.
And, of course, many thanks to the School of Linguistics & Language Studies and the 2024 Korean Studies Grant Program of the Academy of Korean Studies for their financial support.