Korean folk tune will be highlighted in June 6 concert

LEISURE WORLD ORCHESTRA

One of Korea’s most beloved folk tunes will be highlighted at the Leisure World Orchestra’s free concert on June 6 in Clubhouse 2 at 1 p.m.

“Arirang,” which some musicologists say was written 1,000 years ago, will first be sung in its traditional form, language and costume by Mutual 12 resident Hyo Jung Chung, a member of the Leisure World Korean Community Church choir. Then the orchestra will present the emotional response of a Korean-based American soldier, John Barnes Chance, in a series of variations on the folk song.

The song’s lyrics lament separation and loss. Although apolitical, it became Korea’s informal national anthem during Japan’s early 20thcentury occupation of Korea, when the singing of patriotic songs was criminalized.

Although 1,000 years old, “Arirang” continues to exert a strong international influence. The Korean K-pop band BTS named its most recent album “Arirang” and sampled the song in the album’s first track, “Body to Body.” The album debuted in March 2026 at No. 1 in the Billboard 200 chart.

Chance first heard “Arirang” while serving with the U.S. Army in the late 1950s after earning a master’s in composition from the University of Texas. His piece opens with a solemn recitation of the original, and then offers variations on the theme using various time signatures, rhythmic motives and innovative percussion lines.

Leisure World Orchestra conductor Linda DeRungs will lead the orchestra in performing the two Korean-inspired works and compositions by Beethoven, Gershwin, Sibelius, Khachaturian, Sousa and Richard Rodgers.

—William Thompson

Mutual 12 resident Hyo Jung Chung will sing the traditional Korean folk song, "Arirang," at the June 6 concert.