Description
Album Introduction – Shin Kwaedong-Style Gayageum Sanjo
Discover a rare and remarkable gayageum album that unveils the hidden artistry of Shin Kwaedong (recognized in 1967 as the holder of Geomungo Sanjo, National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 16). This special release features:
-
Shin Kwaedong-style Gayageum Sanjo
-
Saetaryeong – a beloved folk song of Korea’s southern provinces
-
Taryeong – a pungryu piece reflecting Shin Kwaedong’s deep musical world
A Lifetime Devoted to Music
From a young age, Shin Kwaedong immersed himself in traditional Korean instruments. Guided by his father’s belief that “a gentleman must understand music,” he began learning yanggeum-pungryu around age nine, later expanding to gayageum, daegeum, danso-pungryu, and sanjo garak.
While he gained recognition as a geomungo master, recordings of his gayageum performances are exceptionally rare. The gayageum sanjo featured in this album comes from a cassette tape recording in 1984, performed with janggu accompaniment by Kim Jae-seon (Asia Records) and restored by Park Se-yeon.
Shin Kwaedong-Style Gayageum Sanjo
This sanjo includes rhythms such as jinyang, jungmori, jungjungmori, jajinmori, hwimori, and eotmori. Unlike geomungo sanjo, it has a distinct melodic identity, with improvisation at its core.
Park Se-yeon has carefully transcribed and refined the rhythm, ensuring the music retains its flowing improvisational spirit while enhancing its emotional depth. Listeners will experience:
-
The delicate balance of regular and irregular rhythms
-
The growing intensity of escalating passages
-
The powerful lingering resonance of the hwimori rhythm
This creates a unique musical journey that embodies the very essence of sanjo.
Saetaryeong – A Folk Song of Spring
A cherished Namdo Japga folk song, Saetaryeong paints the lively sounds of birds in spring. Originally performed by Shin Kwaedong with only gayageum and janggu accompaniment, Park Se-yeon reinterprets it with the iron gayageum, adding a richer tonal depth while preserving its vivid charm.
Taryeong – The Pungryu Legacy
Beyond sanjo, Shin Kwaedong’s pungryu music is equally important. Thanks to recordings by Seobong Heo Sun-gu, an enthusiast of the 1950s–1960s, these works have been preserved. For the first time, they are shared with the public through the Jeollabuk-do Provincial Gugak Center’s Preservation Materials Reprint Series.
Park Se-yeon restores and performs Shin Kwaedong’s gayageum pungryu “Taryeong,” breathing new life into this treasured piece.
Why This Album Matters
This album is more than a collection of music—it is a revival of Shin Kwaedong’s hidden artistry, bridging tradition and modern interpretation. With Park Se-yeon’s sensitive restoration and performance, listeners will discover:
-
The deep resonance of Shin Kwaedong’s legacy
-
The freedom of improvisation that defines sanjo
-
A contemporary emotional connection to timeless music
Perfect for admirers of Korean traditional music and collectors of rare gayageum recordings, this release allows audiences to experience the world of Shin Kwaedong anew.
![V - LAYOVER [Random] - EmpressKorea](https://empresskorea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/V_-_LAYOVER_Random_-_EmpressKorea-333670-500x500.jpg)
Elara Mortenson from Vancouver, Canada –
Engaging sonorities mingle within this impressive collection. Traditional aesthetics woven masterfully through modern technique challenge the listener’s perceptions, invoking ancestral memories amidst fresh sonic landscapes.
Isabela Kato from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia –
Every note whispers the soul of Korea; my heart dances with each pluck. It’s a tapestry woven from memories and longing—a masterclass in heritage.
Hanna Luykx from Utrecht, Nederland –
Bij het luisteren naar de ‘Shin Kwai-dong Gayageum Sanjo’ voel je de ziel van Koreaans erfgoed op een prachtige manier tot leven komen. De soepele klanken van de gayageum vertolken emoties die nauwelijks in woorden te vangen zijn. Shin Kwaedong, met zijn decennia lange toewijding aan traditionele muziek, brengt een veelzijdige stijl waarbij elke snaar een verhaal vertelt uit vergeten tijden. Het contrast tussen de levendige saetaryeong en het contemplatieve taryeong laat zelfs de meest doorgewinterde luisteraar gefascineerd achter, terwijl ze verlangen naar meer geluiden van deze bijzondere kunstvorm.
Min Joo Lee from Busan, South Korea (verified owner) –
Wow, just finished listening to this new Shin Kwaedong Gayageum Sanjo album and let me tell you—pure magic! It’s like time traveling back to the heart of Korea with every note. The Saetaryeong made my heart swell; it has that folksy charm that feels homey, like a warm hug after a long day. Taryeong was pure vibe—totally unique take on traditional sound! Really gives you those deep artistic insights into Korean culture. Major love for what Mr. Kwai-dong brings out here—it hits all the right spots in my soul!
Jae-Hwan Lim from Yeosu, South Korea –
Delving into the tapestry of Korean tradition, ‘Shin Kwai-dong Gayageum Sanjo’ presents a mesmerizing exploration of cultural soundscapes. The gayageum strums vibrate with historical whispers and familial legacies, seamlessly blending nostalgia with virtuosity. As I listened to ‘Saetaryeong’, each note unfolded like stories shared among generations in Gyeongsang province—memories woven from rice fields swaying under evening skies. Contrast this experience with contemporary synth pop: one beckons you towards frantic club lights while this album lures your heart toward moonlit evenings by calm streams, revealing subtleties missed in our hurried lives. A treasure for enthusiasts who cherish authentic heritage; an eloquent conversation on string that feels increasingly rare in today’s global din.
Jinwoo from Seoul, South Korea –
Pleasantly surprised by the depth of emotion in each track. The skill showcased here is impressive and truly showcases Korean culture.