The air buzzed with excitement on Thursday, Feb. 20, as the audience gathered at the Charles B. Wang Center for a unique musical experience: Sangjaru’s United States debut. As part of their international tour, this performance marked a significant milestone for the ensemble, as the members have spent years refining their approach to Korean traditional music. The trio — consisting of guitarist and leader Sungyoon Cho, percussionist Hyochang Kwon on the janggu (장구) and kkwaenggwari (꽹과리) and Seonghun Nam on the ajaeng (아쟁/bowed zither) — captivated the audience with their seamless fusion of time-honored Korean sounds and contemporary genres. Their performance promised a bridge between the past and present, and it certainly delivered.
The evening, titled “Celebrating Lunar New Year with Sangjaru: Korean Folk Gypsy Swing,” was an immersive celebration where the group skillfully blended traditional Korean music with vibrant rhythms of gypsy swing, funk, rock and improvisation. Their captivating performance drew in a diverse audience, including students like Jamie Jakotic and Evan Benjamin who admired the performance.
Jamie, a sophomore in the Multidisciplinary Studies program, was especially captivated by the ajaeng, which she described as sounding “so authentic.”
“I wanted, like, an hour more of it,” she said.
Evan Benjamin, a freshman majoring in anthropology, appreciated the unique fusion of Korean folk music with guitar and electronic elements despite being unfamiliar with the specifics of the performance.
“I thought the fusion of Korean folk music and guitar, and even some electronic bits, [were] really cool,” he said.
One striking feature of the performance was the elaborate white fluffy headgear worn during their rendition of “JisinRV” (지신RV). This piece was inspired by the traditional Korean ritual of “Jisinbapgi” (지신밟기), where people stomp on the ground to pray for abundance and well-being in the coming year.
The headgear, inspired by traditional Korean headwear that wards off bad spirits, added a unique touch to the performance, enhancing its cultural depth. Afterward, the audience had the chance to wear the headgear and take photos with the band members, further engaging with the experience.
Sangjaru’s journey to the U.S. has been years in the making. Hyochang described the challenges that came with coming to America.
“We’ve been preparing for this for a long time. Because of [the] COVID-19 [pandemic], we had to cancel our U.S. concerts, so since then, we’ve been touring across Europe while getting ready for today’s performance. It’s been a long journey,” he said.
Hyochang expressed how the group’s international experience in cities like Paris, France, and London, England, taught them how to tailor their performances for global audiences.
“In Korea, people generally recognize our instruments, like the janggu or ajaeng. But when we perform abroad, we have to consider that and find ways to make our music more approachable to audiences who may be hearing these sounds for the first time,” Hyochang said.
Sangjaru stands apart from other ensembles due to their disciplined approach to musical experimentation. Sungyoon explained that rather than simply incorporating traditional instruments into non-traditional genres, the group critically examines how these elements interact.
“We agreed early on what we wouldn’t do. For example, playing a Western violin piece on the ajaeng doesn’t automatically make it traditional music. Similarly, adding samba rhythms to a janggu doesn’t make it authentic either. We want to ensure that we’re staying true to the essence of traditional music,” he said.
Their compositions often stem from modern inspirations infused with traditional Korean structures. One such piece, “Puneori” (푸너리), was inspired by the interplay of light and sound in a tunnel. The musicians took this contemporary sensory experience and reinterpreted it through Puneori patterns — a form of Korean traditional rhythmic pattern — creating something both new and deeply rooted in tradition.
The group’s name, Sangjaru, reflects their musical philosophy. “Sangja” (상자), meaning “box,” symbolizes the framework of Korean traditional music, while “Jaru” (자루), meaning “bag” or “sack,” represents creativity and reinterpretation within that framework. This philosophy drives the group’s continuous exploration of the boundaries between tradition and innovation, redefining what traditional Korean music means in a contemporary context.
“As we continue our activities, we’ve realized that the definition of ‘tradition’ isn’t as clear-cut as we initially thought,” Seonghun said. “So, discovering what tradition truly means has become an ongoing journey for us.”
Sangjaru’s members each have unique stories about their connections to traditional music. Some grew up in families of musicians, while others stumbled upon pungmul (traditional Korean percussion performance) in their childhood. Despite their varied paths, they all share a deep dedication to preserving the integrity of Korean traditional music while pushing it into new creative realms.
The origins of Sangjaru date back to 2018, when Sungyoon, Hyochang and Seonghun — all alumni of the same high school and university — formed a study group to stay focused on their academics. Having lived together in a dormitory throughout their time in school, they had ample opportunity to bond and develop their shared vision for the group. “Since then, many challenges and memorable moments have kept us moving forward,” Sungyoon said.
After completing their mandatory military service, the trio embarked on a transformative journey along the Camino de Santiago, known as the “Way of the Enlightenment.” This journey, which marked the start of their artistic evolution, inspired compositions like “Saja-ru Taryeong” (상자루 타령) and “Gyeongbuk Swing” (경북스윙). The experience also influenced their approach to performance, with the trio wearing traditional garments throughout the journey; this allows them to leave a lasting impression on those they meet.
For those interested, the group has documented their transformative Camino de Santiago journey in a documentary that offers a deeper look into the experience and its influence on their music.
For those interested in exploring more of their work, Sangjaru’s website offers a comprehensive look at their unique blend of Korean traditional music and innovative genres, including links to their social media pages, Spotify and SoundCloud. Their adventure continues as they strive to redefine the boundaries of Korean folk music for a global audience.
