[KS] Irridentist songs and anti-beef protests?

Samuel Henderson samueljhenderson at gmail.com
Thu Jun 12 01:28:15 EDT 2008


Hello,

The song in question is 광야에서 (*gwangya-eseo*, "In the Wilderness"), by Kim
Kwang Suk (1964-1996).

Lyrics:

찢기는 가슴 안고 사라졌던  이 땅의 피울음있다
부둥킨 두 팔에 솟아나는  하얀 옷의 핏줄기있다
해뜨는 동해에서 해지는 서해까지
뜨거운 남도에서  광활한 만주벌판
우리 어찌 가난하리오 우리 어찌 주저하리오
다시 서는 저 들판에서  움켜쥔 뜨거운 흙이여

I might leave the translation to others more skilled in manners lit'ry.
Here's a video of the song performed (not by the songwriter; unrelated to
demonstrations): http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=HOinyzv9bo4 .

By the way, another song which has been popular in the demonstrations (or so
I understand) is 아침이슬 (*achim iseul*, "morning dew").
http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=U6YEzaio-IQ&feature=related .

Hope this is helpful.

Cheers,

Sam

Samuel Henderson Translations
Korean-English, German-English
Co-moderator NAJIT Listserv

On Thu, Jun 12, 2008 at 4:07 AM, Kirk Larsen <kwlarsen67 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear KS List,
>
> A recent article on the anti-beef protests in the ROK
> http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/06/11/asia/seoul.php?page=1) includes
> this tantalizing tidbit:
>
> "People felt their national pride hurt. Protesters, some weeping, were
> singing a popular song about, not American beef, but an ancient Korean
> kingdom that extended into what become Manchuria, now northeast China.
>
> "How can we stop here, when the vast expanse of Manchuria awaits us?" the
> lyrics go."
>
> Does anyone on the list know more about this song, its provenance,
> popularity etc.?
>
> Cheers,
>
>
> --
> Kirk W. Larsen
> Korea Foundation Associate Professor of History and International Affairs
> Director, Sigur Center for Asian Studies
> 1957 E Street 503
> The George Washington University
> Washington DC, 20052
> (202) 994-5253
>
>
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