Scores with romanized and translated lyrics
Comments from members of Confluence Collective
The song Arirang is important because the emotion of affection for others is embodied in it. People around the world live with a shared sense of affection. Koreans also cherish this affection. Arirang expresses this affection in this way: “The one who leaves me behind will get foot aches before going even 4km.” In expressions like this, one can see the affection of not wanting to part with the other person.
This song begins with a melody that raises the mood, such as “Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo.” Similar themes to Arirang can be found in the middle ages, as well as songs from ancient times. These songs all clearly demonstrate the affection that Koreans possess.
Arirang is an anonymous folk song that has been passed down to modern people. A shijo (an art music song) was sung by the nobility in the form of meditation. However, as a folk song, Arirang was sung easily by the common people.
People with antipathy try to fight. However, those with sentiment show affection and compassion. Arirang is a song of sentiment.
-Mr. Song (May 2026)
What stands out to me most about Arirang is its feeling of separation and longing. To me, the emotion at the heart of the song is a longing for someone who has left, and a sadness that still carries affection.
This feeling seems deeply connected to Korean identity. Korean history has been shaped by many forms of separation: separation from family, from homeland, from language, and even the division of Korea itself. The fact that Arirang is known and cherished in both North and South Korea makes this especially meaningful. It suggests that, beneath political borders, there remains a shared cultural memory and emotional language.
For me, as a Korean-American and someone in the Korean diaspora, Arirang expresses the feeling of being connected to a place that is both close and distant. I may not experience Korean identity in the same way as someone living in Korea, but the song’s tenderness and longing still feel familiar. It reminds me that Korean identity is not only about where one lives, but also about memory, inheritance, and the desire to remain connected across distance.
-Hannah (June 2026)
Confluence Collective Oxford 