tales from Korea

I never really knew much about what Korean music was like before I met Jayeon. She introduced me to one artist, Yang Bang Ean. The man himself is almost unheard of in Korea, but he had a turbulent upbringing and his talent ended up shining more so in Japan where he still probably has more fans then in Korea. His father was from Jeju Island and his mother was from North Korea – he was a North Korean citizen during much of his childhood before leaving the régime and moving to Japan. He lived most of his early life there before claiming his South Korean heritage and getting citizenship, soon after he moved back to live and work as a full time composer.

The first time I heard his music, I knew it was something extraordinary. How this guy is not more famous is an absolute tragedy, and at the same time a wonderful gift. A gift in the sense that he’s not so famous that you can’t get near him, and if he was discovered mainstream commercial interests may push his musical style in a different direction. I like him just the way he is. Jayeon and I attended his Evolution 2009 10th anniversary concert in Sejong Grand Theatre just last week. Jayeon, being part of the official fan club claimed VIP tickets at a very reasonable discount. We sat in the second row from the front, barely a few meters from the grand piano in which he took his place for most of the show. The show itself was pretty wonderful, two of my favourite songs were played. I sat back and fixated on the music, shivers running down my back and down my arms, my neck stiff in concentration. I think most many people were really enjoying the show, but the latter half did lose momentum. Many people including myself were disappointed in the heavy overplay of his new album which was just released the week before. I guess that’s to be expected, but the lack of tracks from my favourite album Pan-O-Rama was pretty disheartening.

After the concert, and after most people left, he walked down from the front-tiered steps into the main lobby to greet the 50 or so fans that stuck the wait after the show to see if he’d appear. Immediately he was embraced in a locking hug from an enthusiastic young Japanese woman, followed by another girl who lunged at him with a large box of Krispy Kreme donuts. He seemed a little overwhelmed by all the attention, and tried to get out of there pretty fast. A quick pat on the head of his Japanese fans was enough to make them swoon. I decided to get in there and say something before he managed to get out the back door. Lunging somewhat between people I touched his shoulder, he turned around and I think looked a little startled at a westerner being there, but, we shook hands. I said, rather simply “Thank you very much”, and he repeated the sentiment back to me. I was thinking, what short sentences might be appropriate, and what can he understand, so I blurted out the most common short thing to say. I was slightly humbled by the experience.

His music, I’m not enough of an expert to start writing too much about what exactly the rhythms, flows and nuances of each of his albums are, but let’s say his music is quite different throughout each album but still keeps a consistent, familiar sound. Here are a few tracks to listen to, they’ll do all the necessary talking – I hope you enjoy.

Just remember, don’t spread the word too much, I want to be able to shake his hand again.

Yang Bang Ean – Flowers of K / Yang Bang Ean – Mint Academy / Yang Bang Ean – Dream Railroad