Interview
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Kotbyeol holds performances all over the world with her haegeum. Haegeum is a Korean traditional string instrument. This instrument she plays has become the focus of attention worldwide. It is similar to the erhu of China, but the two have several distinct differences thant make the haegeum a more attractive instrument. The erhu is a steel-stringed instrument, while the haegeum uses strings composed of thousands of plaited silk thread strands. Thus, the former makes a smooth sound, while the latter makes a very natural and familiar sound, such as the sound made by the wind streaming by tree leaves or by ropes trailing on a wooden floor.
In her earlier days, she did not like the way the haegeum sounded. To Kotbyeol, the haegeum sounded like “a whining baby.” One day while passing by a practice room when she was a sophomore at the Gugak National Middle School, she happened to hear a student playing the haegeum. It sounded quite different from what she had heard before and made a very deep impression on her soul. It was as if the tone was saying something to her. Inspired by that moment, she made up her mind to be a haegeum player, thinking, “I would like to talk to you too.”
“I think that it was something like destiny. It seemed like the haegeum called me to its side and I accepted it.”
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Kotbyeol came to be known as the new-generation haegeum player after she joined performances as a member of the band led by Kim Yong-u. Players of traditional instruments usually engaged in performances without making much noticeable gestures. However, she was different. When she played to a pleasant melody, she would raise her shoulders in a staccato fashion. She would even stand up from her chair and shake her body as if she were playing rock music. Such passionate gestures caught the attention of the audience as well as those from a Japanese music company during a performance in Japan. And she was given an opportunity to carry out activities in Japan.
- It was not only her outer appearance as a performer that was recognized by audiences. Listening to her play, many international people spoke highly of her, saying that her melodies were soul-stirring.
She readily accepted opportunities to play with players of various western instruments. Her fourth album, recently released, contains performances with the Prague Studio Symphony Orchestra.
As she put it, “Haegeum easily adapts itself to other instruments. In other words, it harmonizes with, and responds to, others very well.”
Her experiments of fusion and crossover with music and other instruments and genres of music have something to do with her desire to discover both the infinite possibilities that the haegeum has and perhaps a new dimension of music.
“Korean traditional music has lots of attractions, as it makes one feel not just one, but various feelings. If listened carefully, even good-humored music, such as sanjo or folk music, contains very sad sentiments. Though court music is usually magnificent and dignified, you can also feel a sentimental part if you listen carefully.”
Kotbyeol says that she is very happy, as she has many opportunities to spread Korean traditional music to many people around the world. In the future more and more people will realise the true beauty of Korean traditional music through her bold performances.
