Korean Folk Songs to Sing Along With

Before K-pop there was 민요 (minyo), the folk songs Koreans have sung for centuries in the fields, at festivals and at goodbyes. They use simple, repeated words, which makes them a lovely way to practise reading Hangul.

6 songs · romanization · English meaning · audio

아리랑Arirangarirang arirang arariyoSlow and longing · All of Korea (the standard Seoul version)진도아리랑Jindo Arirangariarirang seuriseurirang arariga nanneLively and playful · Jindo Island 밀양아리랑Miryang Arirangnal jom boso nal jom boso nal jom bosoBright and bold · Miryang 정선아리랑Jeongseon Arirangnuni ollana biga ollana eoksujangma jillanaSlow and sorrowful · Jeongseon 도라지 타령Doraji Taryeongdoraji doraji baekdorajiLight and cheerful · Gyeonggi Province 새야 새야 파랑새야Saeya Saeya Parangsaeyasaeya saeya parangsaeyaQuiet and mournful · Jeolla Province

Why learn folk songs?

Folk songs repeat the same lines again and again, so after one listen you already know half the song. The words are everyday ones like 하늘 (sky), 꽃 (flower), 새 (bird) and 님 (beloved), and the slow tunes give you time to read each syllable.

They are also part of Korean life today. Arirang is sung at sports matches and on national holidays, Doraji Taryeong is taught in every primary school, and you will hear these melodies in films, dramas and even K-pop songs that borrow from them.

Which one to start with

Start with Saeya Saeya: it is only four short lines. Then try Arirang, the song every Korean knows. When you want something faster, Miryang Arirang and Doraji Taryeong are bright and fun to clap along to.

All of these are traditional songs with no known author, which is why we can show the full lyrics. For K-pop songs, paste the lyrics yourself into the lyrics romanizer.