Welcome back to Around the World with Busy Kids Love Music! In today’s episode, we journey to the eastern side of Asia to explore the rich folk music traditions of South Korea.

From heartfelt folk songs to energetic drumming ensembles, Korean traditional music—known as gugak—is a vibrant part of the country’s culture and history. Join me as we explore:

🎶 Minyo – Traditional Korean folk songs passed down through generations 🎤 Arirang – One of Korea’s most beloved and historic songs 🎭 Pansori – Dramatic musical storytelling with a single singer and drummer 🥁 Samulnori – A thrilling percussion style performed with four instruments 🎼 Traditional Korean instruments including:

The janggu (hourglass drum)
The gayageum (12-string zither)
The haegeum (two-string fiddle)

Along the way, we’ll learn how these beautiful sounds continue to influence modern music—from classrooms to K-pop stages.

👉 Don’t forget to:

Download your South Korea passport stamp
Check out the YouTube playlist featuring instruments and performances mentioned in today’s episode
Revisit any of the previous episodes in this global series

Folk Music of South Korea 09:23 Share

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Shownotes Transcript

Folk Music of South Korea