It has been more than 20 years since I expresed my interest in the traditional Korean sounds
in my traditioanl Korean pop song, “Byeolli,” in 1980.
I believe that the music that expresses Korean mindset and Korean life in Korean melodies
can touch us deeply, and go on to extract empathy and happiness to people living all around the world.
This led me to express the beauty of Korean music with Western electric guitar, the sounds of which
the contemporary Koreans and foreigners can both enjoy, rather than traditional Korean instruments,
I experimented with “Guitar Sanjo” first in August 1980, in an indie movie called “Tal” that my frields and
I produced. In it, I contributed my traditional Korean pieces played with electric guitar, which expanded
into more workds. I first composed pieces like that for the public in 1986, for the eve ceremony
for the 1986 Asian Games, and named the genre “Guitar Sanjo” in 1987, when I played with
the Chung Ang Traditional Orchestra in one of their regular concerts. Afterwards, I came to play
the guitar sanjo in 1988 Seoul Olympics, Chung Ang Traditional Orchestra concerts,
New York, Japan, Daejeon Expo 1993, opening ceremony for 97 Winter Universiade,
presidential inauguration of 1998, opening ceremony for the 2002 Soccer World Cup,
and the 57th UN Day celebrations in 2002.
That is how the new genre of “Guitar Sanjo” came to be.
After the first performance in the Asian Games in 1986, I am publishing an album
for my music for the first time in 16 years. I have included the pieces for the opeing
ceremony of the 2002 Soccer World Cup and the group drawing event
of the 2002 World Cup. The pieces I performed for the opening ceremony of
2002 Soccer World Cup is the one that I am most proud of, along
with the pieces for the opening ceremony of 1988 Olympic Games. I hope that
those of you who are new to “Guitar Sanjo” will also be able to feel
the interest and love that I have for traditional Korean music.
