Korean Folk Songs

September 15, 2014
This book-and-CD combination showcases 14 traditional Korean folk songs that are "engraved in the hearts and minds of all Koreans." With cultural notes that illustrate the significance of each song, the selections provide readers with details of Korean history, culture and language. The songs chosen represent a wide array of styles and audiences from "Clap, Clap, Clap!" (in effect, a Korean "Pat-a-Cake") to "Arirang" (roughly equivalent to "Home on the Range"). Some songs are appropriate for infants, others for school-age children. The content of the songs that became popular during the occupation of Korea takes on special significance, as sad tunes were prohibited, resulting in up-tempo children's songs yearning for missing brothers or freedom from oppression. Were they a Korean form of the blues? Each song is captured in a double-page spread, providing a musical score with the language translation repeated three times: first in Hangul script, then in Romanized, phonetic Korean, and finally in English. The audio CD contains a double recording of all the songs, allowing listeners to sing along with the Korean singer or alone, karaoke style. The watercolor illustrations vary in mood but tend toward the mournful. A good book for a diverse world, especially for Korean-Americans who want to learn about their heritage or English speakers hoping to learn basic Korean language skills. (CD track listings) (Bilingual folk songs. 2 & up)

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Starred review from May 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 3-Choi collects 14 favorite Korean folk songs; his brief introductions open a window on Korean life and culture. For each song, he includes a simple musical score for keyboard, and lyrics in both English and Korean (Hangul and transliterated). Most are traditional tunes celebrating life (including "Mountain Rabbit/Santokki," "Boat Song/Baetnorae," and "Arirang"-Korea's most popular folk song), while a few reflect their political origins ("Blue Birds/Saeya saeya" was inspired by the events leading up to the 1894 Donghak Peasant Revolt; "Thinking of Older Brother/Obba saenggak" and "Mother, Sister/Eommaya nunaya" were written during the Japanese occupation of Korea) and influences from the West ("Butterfly/Nabiya nabiya" melody is "Hanschen klein," "Three Bears Song" text is based on "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"). Beautiful watercolor illustrations by Korean artist Samee Back extend the content of each song, bringing in visual elements such as traditional clothing, boats, and homes. The accompanying CD alternates songs sung by Won with an instrumental/karaoke version. VERDICT This set would add depth to study about Korea or serve as a fine introduction to the culture.-Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

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