The image shows a Minyo performance which represents Koreans’ emotions and daily life.
Source: National Gugak Center, Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation
Minyo is a type of Korean folk song created by ordinary people and transmitted by mouth over time. Rooted in everyday life, it expresses emotions and lifestyles of people.
Since Minyo reflects different lifestyles and emotions of the region, it is divided into five categories: Seodo Minyo from Hwanghae-do province and Pyeongan-do province; Gyeonggi Minyo from Seoul, Gyeonggi-do province and part of Chungcheong-do province; Namdo Minyo from Jeolla-do province; Dongbu Minyo from Hamgyeong-do province, Gangwon-do province, and Gyeongsang-do province; and Jeju Minyo from Jeju-do province. Depending on geographical location, Minyo has different characteristics and styles based on the region.

The performance repertoire contains five songs which represent regional Minyo. ‘Yukjabaegi’, a typical Namdo Minyo song, starts slowly and gains tempo gradually. ‘Jeongseon Arirang’ from Gangwon-do province is a Dongbu Minyo song and expresses melancholy and lonely emotions. ‘Monggeumpo Taryeong’ reflects the characteristics of Seodo Minyo in which notes of the middle register are widely vibrated and little twang sounds are incorporated in their vocal style. ‘Odoloddogi’, a typical song of Jeju Minyo, reflects the bright and cheerful mood of Jeju Island people working on the farm or fishing in the sea. ‘Arirang’, one of the well-structured Gyeonggi Minyo songs, does not show particular technical skills but a simple and gentle style.

Source: National Gugak Center, Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation