Interview with Korean Band that Blends Traditional Performances with Modern Style Music
2024-10-14Choori Band is a Korean traditional music band consisting members trained in traditional art form 'yeonhee'. They create their music combining modern style music with traditional music. Choori Band performs all over Korea and in the local music festivals. I first came across this wonderful group through the announcement of the 2024 Gwangju Basking World Cup Competition Choori Band was introduced as one of the 32 teams who would perform in the competition. I got the opportunity to interview the representative of the group Mr. Kim Dong-hwan via email between August 24 and September 10.
Please introduce yourself and the band.
Hello, my name is Kim Dong-hwan. I am the leader of 'Choori Band'. I have loved Samulnori since I was young, and after majoring in 'Yeonhee' in college, I became interested in the overall aspect of traditional arts. The 'Choori Band' was formed by members who love music and art.
Our band members Kwon Hyuk-joo, Kwon Kyo-hwi, and Lee Dong-jun majored in 'Yeonhee'. Member Na Ok-gyun and Lee Kyung-il plays drum and saxophone.
What Inspired you to form 'Choori Band'?
'Yeonhee' is mostly composed of percussion ensemble. However, the balance difference between percussion and melody instruments in traditional art is so great that
it was difficult for percussionists to play with proper energy. I thought that band music was the way to overcome this limitation.
The combination of strong electronic sounds, drums, and brass instruments made it easy to match the ensemble with the energetic Samulnori instruments.
I think the biggest advantage is that you can think about music while taking advantage of Yeonhee's strong energy.
We do not want our music to only convey tradition. We want the message to be given more priority and tradition to be a medium that can convey it.
We want to put various stories from around the world into music.
What is the meaning of your band's name?
'Choori' means 'thinking based on what you know' as per dictionary.
This word has the same meaning as it is used in detective novels.
It was created with the intention to put reasoning in the world through music.
It means making music that talks about the world, that is, music that is used to communicate.
Could you please elaborate the concept of 'Yeonhee' and why you choose this traditional art to make music ?
'Yeonhee' was a traditional art that was passed down among the common people in the past. Talchum, gut, and Nongak are some of the examples.
It can also be said to be similar to Western circus culture.
The culture of the common people contains direct messages toward society. It is sometimes categorized as an element of satire and humor,
and I think that talking about the world through this kind of humor is attractive.
It seems that traditional art emerged as a result of finding an effective medium to convey stories, rather than limiting it to a traditional style.
How do you blend tradition and modernity in your music style ?
The collaboration of traditional percussion instruments and wind instruments is a common combination in traditional music.
Therefore, the combination of the horn section, which expands to saxophone, trumpet, and trombone, also enriches traditional music.
What inspires the stories and themes behind your performances ?
Representatively, I would like to introduce the stories of 'B-LESS 천하무적 (Cheonhamujeok)' and 'BREAKING 파계왕 (Phagyawang)'.
"B-LESS" is based on Gakseol(beggar)'s Taryeong motif. There are many stories that Gakseol(beggar) tells at the marketplace, and these stories can be summarized in one word.
I thought the theme was 'come back'. I wrote the lyrics 'As long as you dream, youth will come back', making the world invincible.
Pagyewang uses 'Pagye', a representative material of talchum, as its material. In talchum, breaking the precepts is considered an object of ridicule.
However, I wondered, 'Is breaking the precepts necessarily a bad thing?
I thought that the reason 'Choori Band' exist is because they broke the precepts, and I made the theme that breaking the precepts is a very sweet and exciting thing.
I added movements from talchum to make the song even more exciting.
What are the traditional instruments you use in your performances ?
We mainly use Korean percussion instruments. Such as kkwaenggwari, jing, janggu, and buk.
These four instruments are representative instruments used in the percussion ensemble called 'Samulnori'. They can express many Korean rhythms, so they are often used in the arts of the common people.
In particular, there are symbols that the instruments themselves have. Stories of the past when people played drums to express their grievances are still being used in modern times to protest by playing Nongak instruments.
I think this is the power of traditional instruments, and I naturally try to bring that into my music.
How does it feel to be a part of the 2024 Gwangju Basking World Cup Competition ?
I'm a little nervous. It's my first time doing busking, so I think I need to prepare even more.
Especially since we'll face the audience closely, it will be necessary to lead the stage while talking.
I'll try my best because it's a place where our music can be introduced to many teams around the world.
What message of Korean culture do you hope to share with the global audiences ?
I don't want to convey only unusual music. I hope that the messages of 'love', 'dream', and 'hope' in our music can be conveyed and that we all can sing our music together.
What was the most difficult challenge while pursuing this unique style of music ?
The hardest part is maintaining an environment where the members can work together consistently.
It took individual sacrifices to establish the band, and we led it while remembering the dream of going out on the world stage.
You have performed in numerous venues, can you share some meaningful responses from the audiences ?
'Sori Frontier Jeonju' is the most impressive.
While doing this project, I was able to introduce the band to many people, and I also gained fans who cheered for us.
I remember the moment when they cheered and shouted the band's name out loud in front of us, was the happiest.
Please share a message with the readers of korea.net.
Please remember 'Choori Band' in the future, and we will work hard to deliver music that can be a part of your lives.
We will be a band that you can be with when you are happy or sad.
Like the songs of 'B-LESS 천하무적 (Cheonhamujeok)', I hope we all live while dreaming, and we will continue to visit you on stages where we can share that dream.
Thank you.
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