Arirang

Arirang is a famous song from Korea.

It is a very old song. Some say it is 600 years old!

People sing it in many ways. There are thousands of versions. Some songs are about love. Others are about being apart.

This song helps people feel close. It is a symbol of unity. People in North and South Korea sing it together.

It can be a happy or sad song. It even helps people feel brave. People sang it to show they loved their land.

Many people know this tune today. You might hear it at the Olympics. It is a special song for all Koreans.

Arirang is a famous folk song from Korea. It is a very old song. Some people think it is over 600 years old!

There are many ways to sing it. Experts say there are about 60 different versions. There are even 3,600 variations of these songs. Most versions use a refrain that sounds like "arirang, arirang, arariyo."

Many songs tell stories about love or being apart. One legend says the name comes from a story about two lovers. They met near a body of water called Auraji. In one story, the lovers sing to show their sadness.

The song is also a symbol of unity. North and South Korea both sing it. It helps bring the two nations together.

Arirang has been used in many ways. It was once a song of resistance. People sang it to show they loved their land. Today, you might hear it at the Olympics. It is also used in films and video games. It remains a very important part of Korean culture.

Arirang is a famous Korean folk song that many people love. It is a very old song with a long history. Some experts believe it is more than 600 years old.

There are many different ways to sing it. There are about 60 different versions of the song. Even more amazing, there are 3,600 variations of those versions. Most of these songs use a refrain that sounds like "arirang, arirang, arariyo." This song is so special that it acts as a symbol of unity. People in both North and South Korea sing it together.

Many people wonder what the name "Arirang" actually means. Some scholars think "ari" meant beautiful and "rang" meant a beloved person. This would make the name mean "my beloved one." Another legend tells of two lovers who met near a body of water called Auraji. In one version, the lovers sing to show their sadness because they cannot meet. In another version, a man sings a sorrowful song after he dies.

Some people think the name comes from a woman named Lady Aryeong. Others think it comes from a word meaning hometown. These different stories show how much the song means to people.

History shows that Arirang has helped people through hard times. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, singing certain songs was against the law. Because of this, Arirang became an unofficial song of resistance. People sang it to show they loved their country. Protesters sang it during the March First Movement in 1919.

Many versions of the song were written about injustice or fighting. Even a famous 1926 silent film used the song to tell a story about Korean pride. This helped make the song even more famous across the land.

We have many records of this song from different times. The first known recording was made in 1896 by Alice C. Fletcher. She recorded three Korean students singing in Washington, D.C.

These recordings are now kept in the U.S. Library of Congress. Arirang is also recognized by big groups like UNESCO. South Korea submitted the song in 2012, and North Korea submitted it in 2014. In 2015, South Korea added it to its list of important cultural assets. These honors show that the whole world values this beautiful music.

Today, you can hear Arirang in many places you might not expect. It is used in big events like the Olympics. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, athletes from both Koreas marched together while it played.

Figure skaters like Yuna Kim have also performed to its melody. You can even find the song in video games like Civilization VI. It is also used in movies and by famous music groups like BTS. Whether in a stadium or on a screen, Arirang stays part of life.

Arirang is a profound Korean folk song that serves as a cultural pillar. It is much more than a simple melody for many people. It acts as a powerful symbol of unity between North and South Korea. This connection is especially important because the two nations are divided by conflict. The song is incredibly diverse and widespread. There are approximately 60 different versions of the song. Within those versions, there are about 3,600 different variations.

Every version includes a similar refrain. This refrain sounds like "arirang, arirang, arariyo." Most lyrics focus on themes of love, reunion, or deep sorrow.

The exact meaning of the term "Arirang" remains a subject of debate among linguists. One theory suggests that "ari" meant beautiful in ancient native Korean. In this view, "rang" referred to a beloved person or a bridegroom. Together, the words would mean "my beloved one." Another scholar, Yang Ju-dong, proposed a different linguistic origin. He suggested "ari" meant long and was combined with "ryeong," meaning a mountain pass. Some even link the name to Lady Aryeong, the wife of the first king of Silla. Others look toward the Jurchen word "arin," which means hometown.

Legends often connect the song to the beautiful landscape of Korea. One famous legend centers on a place called Auraji. This name comes from the Korean word "eoureojida," meaning to be in harmony. The story involves a bachelor and a maiden picking camellia blossoms. In one version, they sing to express sorrow because they cannot meet. In another version, the man drowns while trying to cross the water. Most experts believe the song originated in the mountainous Jeongseon region. A manuscript from 1756 provides one of the earliest written mentions of the song.

Arirang has played a vital role during periods of great struggle. During the Japanese occupation of Korea, singing patriotic songs was a criminal offense. Because of this, Arirang became an unofficial anthem of resistance. Protesters sang it during the March First Movement in 1919. Many variations written during this era focused on themes of injustice and guerrilla warfare. The song even became a tool for mountain guerrillas fighting occupiers. In 1926, the silent film *Arirang* helped spread the song's popularity. The film was a major hit and is considered the first Korean nationalist film.

We have historical evidence of how the song traveled and was recorded. The first known recording occurred in 1896 by American ethnologist Alice C. Fletcher. She recorded three Korean students in Washington, D.C. These recordings are now preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress. Some believe the song spread to Seoul when workers moved to rebuild Gyeongbok Palace. These workers may have used the phrase "arirang" to express their sadness. This sadness came from being separated from their families and lovers. This history shows how the song moved from rural mountains to the capital city.

Today, Arirang holds significant official status and global recognition. Both South and North Korea have submitted it to UNESCO. South Korea submitted it in 2012, and North Korea followed in 2014. In 2015, South Korea added it to its list of important cultural assets. The song also appears in many different musical genres. In Japan, over 50 versions were released between 1931 and 1943. These versions included styles like pop, jazz, and mambo. This shows how the melody can adapt to many different cultural settings.

The song continues to influence modern culture and international events. It is used in major sports ceremonies like the Olympics. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, athletes from both Koreas marched together to this music. Figure skaters, including Yuna Kim, have used it in their performances. You can even find its influence in video games like *Civilization VI*. Modern music groups like BTS have also included it in their work. Whether in a stadium or a digital game, Arirang remains a living tradition.