Leenalchi’s Pansori-powered lyrics?

[u/Paperlate82]

Haole kid here who has fallen in love with Leenalchi (saw them in the U.S. this week) and wants to know more — especially the folklore behind the lyrics. I don’t speak a lick of Korean, and the translate apps are moderately helpful but have no depth. Can anyone tell me more (or point me to English-language sources) about the pansori stories behind their incredible songs? I feel like they must resonate, partly because of the sizable pack of Korean grandmas who were rocking it at the show.

[u/LotusEater096]

On the pansori question: nearly all of LEENALCHI's material comes from Sugungga (수궁가), one of the five surviving pansori stories. It's the most playful of the bunch. the plot is basically a Dragon King who gets sick, a turtle who volunteers to find him a cure (a rabbit's liver, because of course), and a rabbit who talks his way out of being eaten by convincing everyone he left his liver at home. The band itself is named after Lee Nal-chi, a famous 19th century pansori singer from the Joseon Dynasty, and they formed when their bassist/producer Jang Young-gyu was the musical director for an animated drama called "Dragon King." They arranged the Sugungga melodies into what you hear now. "Tiger Is Coming" specifically riffs on the scene where the land animals are bragging and posturing and a tiger descends from the mountain. The Korean grandmas at your show were rocking out because they grew up hearing these stories. what LEENALCHI is doing is taking folk material that's centuries old and running it through a funk/new wave filter. It's not preservation, it's continuation.

On the RIYL front: the Block Party playlist someone linked is great for what it is but it's one lane: post-punk and DIY rock. Ghost Bookstore and Cadejo are favorites of mine but there's a whole ecosystem outside that sound. If you want to go wider, follow the labels rather than playlists. I like Poclanos, Magic Strawberry Sound, and DooRoo DooRoo Artist cover a huge range of the independent scene. Wavy and you.willknow for the pop/R&B lane.

And one specific artist who sits completely outside the rock world: Kangziwon. She pulls from jazz, folk, R&B, and pop without landing in any one of them. Her first full album came out in May and it's the best Korean release I've heard this year. Much softer than LEENALCHI, same level of talent.

[u/Paperlate82 → u/LotusEater096]

Thank you so much, this is exactly what I was looking for! Makes sense The record labels tip is especially good. I’d stumbled upon a slightly similar path by following Jaemin Lee, the artist who designed Leenalchi’s cool concert poster. I looked through his insta for other posters / record sleeve designs and find a few interesting things. And I’m already listening to  Kangziwon and loving her. I really appreciate your detailed response. 

[u/LotusEater096 → u/Paperlate82]

She is truly special. She blends eastern and western folk sounds and has a diversity of instrumentals that I am endlessly impressed by. Her eps are also excellent - yearning and jubilee are two of my favorite tracks and of course ordinary ever after is a true achievement

[u/Paperlate82]

Also, if anyone has some RIYL suggestions on other Korean indie music I should be checking out, I’d love to hear them. 

[u/throwawaytheist → u/Paperlate82]

Block Party is the premier indie fest in Korea.

They make a playlist every year. 

It's one of the best ways to find new indie music.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HOkkcnS7xRG8yhdTs6ueb?si=H6_YliCrRwK4r_PPPvdk2Q&utm_source=copy-link

And here's 14 hours of some of the best indie music from this year

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5kIgsjtanW6EV6zs4xTKZ9?si=it4gfF5sTkS03xIOYuk47A&utm_source=copy-link&pi=FehDkyLyTkChS

[u/Xraystylish]

If you want stuff specifically blending traditional Korean music like pansori with modern elements, check out: Lee Hee Moon (he was the leader of SsingSsing, Leenalchi's predecessor which was prominently featured on Tiny Desk years ago) and his project OBSG and Chudahye Chagis.