By Honorary Reporter Seema Thomas from India

In addition to K-dramas, the traditional zithers gayageum and geomungo have sparked my interest in Korea's rich traditions and culture.

Dal:um is a Korea based duo whose interpretation of the instruments transports listeners to new auditory realms. Debuting in 2018, the group features Ha Suyean on the gayageum and Hwang Hyeyoung the geomungo, and played the distinct sounds of both instruments in its 2021 album "Similar & Different."

The following are excerpts from a written interview with Dal:um conducted from Aug. 14-28 ahead of the October release of the group's latest album "Coexistence."

Dal:um comprises Hwang Hyeyoung (left) on the geomungo and Ha Suyean on the gayageum. (Oh Joong-seok)

What attracted you to pursue playing a zither?
Hwang: Art was a constant in my upbringing; my father's aunt was a traditional Korean dancer and his uncle played the gayageum. Inspired by this artistic environment, my father encouraged me to pursue music. I learned the gayageum from my great-uncle as a child and switched to the geomungo in middle school, which I've played since. 

Ha: I started learning the gayageum at age 7 at an after-school class. My teacher said I had natural talent, which made practice enjoyable. What began as a hobby is now a lifelong passion, allowing me to express myself through the instrument.

How did you two come together as a duo?
We met over a decade ago as members of the Seoul Youth Traditional Music Orchestra under the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Hye-young was the concertmaster and Su-yean the assistant concertmaster. We shared many musical concerns and ideas. After graduating from university, we formed Dal:um to combine two of Korea's most iconic string instruments, create a captivating blend and add a unique charm to our music.

How do you approach blending traditional sounds with contemporary music?
We highlight the unique charms of both instruments. Our compositions are inspired by the emotions we feel in our daily lives as we reinterpret traditional melodies and rhythms with our own sensibilities. With years of dedication to traditional Korean music and exploration of genres, we integrate these diverse styles into our work.

What challenges have you faced in your music?

In the early stage of Dal:um, we often grappled with how much traditional Korean music to incorporate into our compositions and how traditional they should feel. This is something we still consider in the creative process. Since both of us have played traditional music for over 20 years, we believe that this background influences and blends into our music. 

Our process begins with deciding the type of music or story we want to create, and the composition takes shape from there. As a result, our pieces might or might not feature prominent traditional elements depending on where our inspiration leads us.

How do you see the role of traditional instruments like yours evolving?
In this globalized era where everything is interconnected, we believe that the unique traditions of each country are gaining more attention. Traditional instruments are rooted in a country's cultural heritage, but they can also introduce fresh and captivating elements to add a unique dimension to the global music scene.

Dal:um performs at the Isole che Parlano International Festival in Sardinia, Italy. (Dal:um)

What performance or project stands out for Dal:um?
Last year, we played at the Isole che Parlano International Festival in Sardinia, Italy. Our stage was set up on a beach, and performing to the sound of waves crashing in the background was mesmerizing. The stage was in a nature reserve, usually off-limits to the public, which made the experience even more unique.

What about your new album and plans?
Our second album "Coexistence," which explores living alongside the things we coexist with, will be released worldwide in October after coming out in Korea in September. We will also tour Korea and Europe as part of the release.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.