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| yna@yna.co.kr 2025-11-24 16:05:34
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Yonhap) -- On the 13th, familiar melodies flowed from unfamiliar instruments in the Yonhap studio — the traditional folk tune “Bukcheong Lion Dance,” originally played during the Jeongwol Daeboreum festival, reimagined using Western instruments like the accordion, djembe and flute.
The performers behind this reinterpretation are Sound Trek, a multicultural gukak (traditional Korean music) band made up of musicians from Germany, Burkina Faso, Russia, Mongolia and Mexico. At an interview, members said, “When we make music, we are truly happy. We want to spread love around the world through music without borders.”
Sound Trek was formed through a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Foundation for International Broadcasting Exchange to promote the global appeal of traditional Korean music.
In April, the band selected five members via audition, including Madeleine Forguntke from Germany (flute), Alexander Sheykin from Russia (accordion), Erdenenmunh Khulan from Mongolia (morin khuur, “maduum”), Amidou Diabaté from Burkina Faso (djembe) and Nancy Castro from Mexico (gok, Korean “sori,” or traditional singing).
For five months, they trained under top Korean traditional music masters, including vocalist Kwon Song-hee (formerly of band Leenalchi), percussion master Jang Jae-hyo, and daegeum (Korean bamboo flute) player Baek Da-som.
Their distinctive style lies in blending traditional Korean instruments — such as the daegeum, sogeum and janggu — with instruments from their home countries, including the flute, piccolo, morin khuur and djembe.
Alexander Sheykin said he feels a responsibility as one of the selected members but is also grateful: “I’m happy that I can introduce the accordion in Korea and perform Korean traditional music.”
Madeleine Forguntke added, “I’m so happy. I studied Baroque flute in Germany, and here in Korea, I was able to play something similar to the daegeum.”
Diabaté reflected emotionally: “I learned Korean because I have played my African traditional instrument since I was born; I even learned janggu.”
They say their native instruments and Korean traditional music fit surprisingly well together, noting a shared sense of tradition. Through persistent practice, they ensure their fusion does not feel discordant to audiences.
Sheykin explained, “The accordion is special because it matches any country’s traditional music — Russia, Italy, France, Korea’s traditional music, even trot.”
Forguntke, who is in a doctoral music program at Seoul National University, said, “I combine Korean rhythms and Western elements in my flute. Playing different instruments at once is very difficult, but I practiced and practiced. Now, it actually feels good.”
Diabaté, born into a musical family with 73 generations of musicians, noted many overlaps between his music and Korean music:
“Janggu and djembe are similar. When you play different spots, each one gives a different sound. With the djembe, you can make many tones depending on how you play.”
Through learning Korean traditional music, they also say they’ve come to understand “han” (a deep, often sorrowful emotional expression in Korean culture). Forguntke said, “As I began playing the daegeum, I started to understand han more.”
Sheykin added, “When I played ‘Arirang,’ I felt the longing for home and the sorrow of missing one’s hometown — that han. I think we can convey it well. You’ll feel it.”
When asked what music means to them, the Sound Trek members spoke in unison: “Love.” Forguntke said, “Through music, we send love across the world. Music has no borders.” Diabaté added, “Who wants to fight with music? Music is love.”
They concluded, “Life is happiness, so we should live joyfully. We are glad to share our culture and to learn new ones. All of this connects to peace and love.”
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