Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) was formed in 2015 on the 70th anniversary of National Liberation. ¡°Gwang¡± means ¡°national liberation¡± while ¡°chil¡± (the number seven) refers to the 70th anniversary. A group of musicians from JeongGaAkHoe (a musical group that focuses on modernizing traditional Korean music) gathered together to form a band to find a new way to express traditional Korean music.
The group is composed of nine members: Kim Yak Dae [daeguem (a large bamboo flute)], Lee Man Wol [piri (a Korean double reed instrument) and saenghwang (a Korean wind instrument)], Choi Byung Hwal [ajaeng (a Korean string instrument)], Won Meon Dong Maru [gayaguem (a traditional Korean plucked zither)], Chun Gung Dal (percussion), Sunwoo Barabarabarab (percussion), Hong Ok (singer), Myeong Wol (singer) and Yoo Wol (singer).
Let¡¯s meet ADG7¡¯s Kim Yak Dae and Hong Ok and talk about the group¡¯s passion for playing traditional Korean music.
Q ― ADG7 is a traditional Korean music group. You decided to go with the term akdan (band) instead of the traditional noripae (troupe).
(Kim Yak Dae) We wanted to create the feeling of doing something different with traditional Korean music. Our goal is to pursue easy and intuitive traditional music.
(Hong Ok) Our parent organization JeongGaAkHoe has expanded its contact points by combining traditional Korean music with various performing arts genres. We formed ADG7 because we wanted to find a way to reach the public musically.
Q ― Your music is aimed towards those who enjoy popular traditional music. However, you also focus on Hwanghae-do Province¡¯s gut and Seodo traditional folk songs from North Korea that are unfamiliar to South Korean.
(Hong Ok) We studied the music of Hwanghae-do Province in depth while preparing for JeongGaAkHoe¡¯s musical Words and Music (2007). When we founded the group, we knew that there were very few people who were performing gut and Seodo traditional folk songs from Hwanghae-do Province. We thought it would give us a competitive edge.
(Kim Yak Dae) Seodo traditional folk songs can be difficult even for those who play traditional music. This is because there is a difference in scale from Gyeonggi traditional folk songs, pansori (a Korean musical style of storytelling), and the sigimsae (a grace note in Korean). We studied the music by looking through papers and records.
ADG7 performs during the 2020 Crazy Shocking Concert. © Woo In Je
Q ― Is that when you decided upon the group¡¯s concept of a musical troupe wandering the liberation space?
(Hong Ok) We know that we need to form a consensus in order to communicate with the world through this kind of music. It was a natural flow to talk about the historical context of music from Hwanghae-do Province. The performance elements were inspired by songs from the Kim Sisters and E Sisters of the early 1950s and 1960s. It makes me feel a sense of unity with the musicians trying to change music. Our music is also something between popular and traditional music.
Q ― An international media outlet praised the group, calling you ¡°a glitzy show band¡± based on your comical nature, unique costumes and choreography.
(Hong Ok) We want to deliver our music instantly and sensibly, so we use intense shades of primary colors in our costumes to contrast the neutral elements of the gut. We even choreograph our own routines based on traditional dances. Our musical direction is gradually moving towards dance music.
Hong Ok sings during WOMEX19. © jacob_crawfurd
Q ― ADG7¡¯s music has been referred to as ¡°Korean shamanic punk-rock¡± and ¡°K-folk pop¡± due to the use of repetitive lyrics and melody, exciting dance moves, and intense performances. What do you think?
(Kim Yak Dae) We like it. I think people will know the exact type of music we make. However, it feels a bit sad when people describe our music as ¡°fusion traditional music¡± or ¡°crossover traditional music.¡± I feel like those descriptions overshadow the characteristics of the unique style of the music.
Q ― If you were to choose the genre for ADG7¡¯s music, what would it be?
(Kim Yak Dae) I would say ¡°Korean psychedelic.¡± Psychedelic refers to a hazy, rock music sound. When we talk about gut, we try to give the audience the feeling of being blown away by the powerful sound when we actually perform.
(left) Yoo Wol performs at Jassmine, one of Warsaw¡¯s best loved jazz venues. © jassminewarsaw
(right) ADG7¡¯s percussionists perform during WOMEX19.© jassminewarsaw
(bottom) Kim Yak Dae plays the daeguem at KEXP. © photobakery, darekmazzone
Q ― Have you seen a difference in reactions to your music between Korean and international audiences?
(Kim Yak Dae) We were surprised to see that the reactions have been the same. There is a movement that we want to make with our music, but we noticed that the process of moving and running for Koreans and international audiences is similar.
Q ― You had a North American tour in June at the invitation of the Korean Cultural Center New York and Canada. I heard that there were many twists and turns during the tour.
(Hong Ok) When we first arrived in Chicago, we lost all of our clothes and props, including our musical instruments. Thankfully, we were able to borrow most of the instruments we needed from the KPAC-Chicago team that had invited us. We were able to finish our performances thanks to the support from the Korean Cultural Center, Korean Associations, and Canadian embassy in each of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces we visited.
Q ― ADG7¡¯s stage has expanded to the world. If you could give international fans one tip to enjoy your music even more, what would it be?
(Kim Yak Dae) Is it possible to dance within minutes of listening to the music of an unfamiliar group from Asia? We were worried about that, but we were pleasantly surprised to see how quickly everyone got up and danced together. If we had a tip that could help people enjoy our performance better, it would be, ¡°Are you ready to dance as one with us? Make sure you eat well and wear comfortable shoes!¡± We recommend wearing comfortable shoes so you can dance and have a good time with us!
