Musician Today

Inalchi, Showed up

In 2019, I discovered a Korean band on YouTube. Initially mesmerized by the dancing, I soon realized the vocals were singing Pansori (traditional Korean mono-opera) ‘Sugoongga’. It is accompanied by modern musical instruments. Not long after, they started appearing on TV shows and in commercials. Sometimes featuring in public advertisements to promote Korean culture.

Original Leenalchi

Their band name, Leenalchi, is derived from one of the top Pansori singers at the end of the Joseon dynasty. Originally nicknamed Nalchi (Lee is his family name) for his swift tightrope performances which means flying fish. He later transitioned to Pansori and gained fame as one of the best singers, performing in front of the king nearly 200 years ago.

Leenalchi, resurrects on pop Music industry

In 2019, Leenalchi reemerged as a band with 4 singers, 2 bassists, and 1 drummer. Surprisingly, they crafted melodies without a guitar, maintaining the essence of solo Pansori performances. Their signature song “Bum naeryeo onda (Tiger is coming down)” is part of the epic “Sugoongga,” originally spanning 4 hours. Also, all of their songs are from Sugoongga. Despite Pansori’s solo nature, they cleverly divided parts among the 4 singers, lending a distinct spin to their band dynamic. However, they have since downsized to 2 singers.

One of Leenalchi’s most iconic performances that catapulted them to fame was their collaboration with the Ambiguous Dance Company on the YouTube series “On Stage.” The Ambiguous Dance Company’s blend of contemporary and traditional attire offered a refreshing take on traditional items. Their movements, resembling avant-garde motions, appeared individualistic yet coalesced into group dances at certain points. 

Rest assured, the singers of Leenalchi are well-qualified in Pansori. Most of them are having majored in it at Seoul University, the top university in Korea. Additionally, the musical instrument players are top-class session musicians or directors. 

Their music may seem unusual at first, but it’s categorized as Jo-pop (Joseon pop) among fans. For those who appreciate the soul of Korea, Inalchi serves as a bridge between tradition and modern pop.

Leenalchi Fan page.
https://www.facebook.com/leenalchiofficial/

*If you have Korean friends, I do not recommend using the word ‘Jo-pop’ with them. It can be considered offensive depending on the context.

EZsPEDIA © 2024 by YUNMI LEE is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0