Korean Zither (geomungo) Ep. 1: Water And Steel ("Chulgang")

In the heart of Seoul,

Hidden in the folds of Bugak Mountain,

Lies a secret valley.

Baekseok Dongchon.

Literally,

White Stone Cave Heaven.

Baekseok refers to Bugak Mountain,

And Dongchon means a picturesque landscape,

Surrounded by mountains and streams.

This was once the site of a villa belonging to Yi Hangbok,

A renowned Joseon dynasty scholar.

For decades,

It remained closed to the public,

Locked within the security perimeter of the Blue House,

Korea's presidential residence.

In 2004,

A single remark from President Roh Moo-hyun,

Changed why we are hiding such a place from the people.

The Geomungo,

Korea's traditional six-stringed zither,

Now fills the air with a piece called Chulgang.

Steel flowing out.

Dongchon,

And the steel of Chulgang.

One is the voice of nature,

Flowing for centuries.

The other is the sound of human labor,

Forged in modernity.

They come from entirely different worlds,

Yet here,

In this moment,

They breathe as one.

The Geomungo slows,

Becoming.

Contemplate this passage,

Speaks of weariness.

The weight of existence.

Baekseok Dongchon has witnessed such moments too.

The people who passed through here,

Yi Hangbok,

Hong Il-gil,

And Hong Il's great-grandson,

Hong Myung-hui,

Author of the epic novel,

Im Kok Jong.

A young band scholar of late Joseon,

See in this valley.

What world did Hong Myung-hui live in?

I find myself drawn,

Not to perfect heroes.

Living lives that flow,

Hardened like steel.

And re-solidifying with time.

Water carves stone through patient flow.

Molten steel takes form as it cools.

Both require time.

The Geomungo rises again,

Powerful and alive.

Mourning at the steel mill,

As of Baekseok Dongchon flow on,

Never ceasing.

In 2009,

This valley was designated as an ecosystem,

Landscape,

And conservation area.

Salamanders,

Totes 876 square meters,

Asks us a question.

Such is life.