The most traditional, but most new Korean music

One of the hottest music in Korea recently is the unusual genre of music released by a band called ' Leenalchi’.' The band, based on Pansori, a traditional Korean musical storytelling performance, is composed of four vocalists, two bassists, and a drummer. Vocalists are experts who majored in traditional Korean music, and their singing is entirely traditional Korean pansori style.

They were also known worldwide through the Korean tourism promotion music video "Feel the Rhythm of Korea: SEOUL," produced by the Korea Tourism Organization(KTO).

The video, which currently has more than 30 million views, expresses an unusual sensibility with the choreography of ‘Ambiguous Dance Company’ added to Leenalchi's music against the backdrop of various landmarks in Seoul.

The exquisite blend of Korean tradition and modern hip sensibility is attracting viewers not only from Korea but also from around the world.

The Korea Tourism Organization is said to have developed a proper marketing material by breaking the rigid framework of government offices by making new plans, breaking away from the conventional form of outdated advertising using global stars.

Alternative Rock Band Modernized Korean Traditional Pansori

The music of Leenalchi is very new but very traditional at the same time. Their music is based on "Pansori," a traditional Korean musical storytelling show. Pansori is a format in which a single vocalist organizes the stage with a Gosu, a Korean traditional drum player, leading the play alone for 4 to 8 hours. Leenalchi brought music from these pansori scenes, dressed rhythmically with bass and drums instead of a traditional drum, and made music sung by various vocalists. Through this, modern rhythms were added, allowing it to be reborn as hip music.

More detailed explanations can be found on Leenalchi’s YouTube channel information.

"Leenalchi is an alternative pop band that sings verses from the traditional tale, Sugungga. The story tells of a dragon king from the Southern Sea, a softshell turtle, and a wily rabbit.

The seven-piece band comprises four traditional vocalists: Kwon Song Hee, Shin Yu Jin, Ahn Yi Ho, and Lee Na Rae, who deliver musical storytelling through solos, choir, rapping, and dance. The band also features a drummer Lee Chul Hee and two bassists: Jang Young Gyu and Jeong Jung Yeop. The story’s background beats and bass draw inspiration from 80’s new wave while the performers build excitement by destroying and re-arranging traditional elements."