Korean history + Trot (트로트) = Required karaoke for all Korean 5th graders (or at least, so I was told by my Winter Camp 5th graders). Anyone who’s interested in Korean culture or Korean history would be greatly interested in this song and story. The song name is:
- Korean: 한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들
- Hanja: 韓國을 빛낸 百名의 偉人들
- English: 100 Great Men Who Brightened Korea
It was written in 1989 by 박인호 (Lyrics) and 박문영 (Composition). It showcases the TOP 100 Greatest People in Korean history with their names and ONE key thing about them (an attribute, an accomplishment, a mission, etc). And given its “required learning” status among Korean 5th graders, it seems to be pretty accurate.
The List:
Anybody who’s lived in Korea for a while can probably recognize a few of those names above (if you take the time to read through them):
- #1: Dangun – the Father of Korea (You may be familiar with “something about a strange bear, cave, mugwort origin story”.)
- #48: Admiral Lee SunShin (We all probably know about the Turtle ship by now and how Admiral Lee saved Korea from Japanese invaders…sometime in the past.)
- #52: The Great King SeJong (This is the only real reason we’re studying Hangul and not Hanja. He’s also the #1 TOP national hero in Korea – thank God they finally re-recognized Hangul Day as a national holiday.)
Also notably on the list are some women (I don’t know much about them yet, I’ve only just been informed of them):
- #93: Yu GwanSoon (Apparently she is famous for her stand for Korean independence or something.)
Are you ready for a history lesson?
So, since I’m:
- Living in Korea
- Studying Korean language
- Find Korean culture fascinating
- Am curious about Korean history (particularly the great “names” in history)
- Have found this amazing “100 Awesome Korea People” song
- Have learned that it’s required learning for Korean 5th graders
I’ve decided to dedicate one day per week of this blog to investigating and discovering who these 100 Awesome People were. I’ll do my best to give you:
- The story about who they are and what they did (in English)
- Why they are important
- Other relevant links and resources
So stay tuned for next week: #1 DANGUN
Full Lyrics of the song
<Translation coming soon> 한국을 빛낸 100명의 위인들 [가사]
Verse 1
단군할아버지가 터잡으시고
홍익인간뜻으로 나라세우니
대대손손 훌륭한 인물도 많아
고구려세운 동명왕 백제 온조왕
알에서 나온 혁거세
만주벌판 달려라 광개토대왕 신라장군 이사부
백결선생 떡방아 삼천궁녀 의자왕
황산벌의 계백 맞서 싸운 관창
역사는 흐른다
Verse 2
원효대사 해골물 혜초천축국
바다의왕자 장보고 발해 대조영
귀주대첩 강감찬 서희 거란족
무단 정치 정중부 화포 최무선
죽림칠현 김부식
지눌국사 조계종 의천 천태종
대마도정벌 이종무
일편단심 정몽주 목화씨는 문익점
해동공자 최충 삼국유사 일연
역사는 흐른다
Verse 3
최영 장군의 말씀 받들자
황희 정승 맹사성 과학 장영실
신숙주와 한명회 역사는 안다
십만 양병 이율곡 주리 이퇴계
신사임당 오죽헌
잘싸운다 곽재우 조헌 김시민
나라구한 이순신
태정태세문단세 사육신과 생육신
몸바쳐서 논개 행주치마 권율
역사는 흐른다
Verse 4
번쩍번쩍 홍길동 의적 임꺽정
대쪽같은 삼학사 어사 박문수
삼년 공부 한석봉 단원 풍속도
방랑시인 김삿갓 지도 김정호
영조대왕 신문고 정조 규장각
목민심서 정약용
녹두장군 전봉준 순교 김대건
서화가무 황진이
못살겠다 홍경래 삼일천하 김옥균
안중근은 애국 이완용은 매국
역사는 흐른다
Verse 5
별헤는 밤 윤동주 종두 지석영
삼십삼인 손병희
만세만세 유관순 도산 안창호
어린이날 방정환
이수일과 심순애 장군의 아들 김두한
날자꾸나 이상 황소그림 중섭
역사는 흐른다
The Music
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