Hillyer College’s Assistant Professor Ju-Yong Ha has been invited to give a presentation at the Korean Musicological Society’s International Conference, Oct. 24–25, in Daegu, South Korea. His presentation, titled “Echoes Across the Pacific: A Performance and Reception History of Arirang in the U.S.,” will examine the history of how the Korean folk song “Arirang” has been performed and received in the United States. He will trace the song’s evolution over time and explore how Americans came to perceive it as a symbol of the Korean nation.
Starting with the early Korean diasporic culture in Hawai’i during the early 20th century, the article explores Arirang’s presence in American popular culture, particularly during and after the Korean War. Ha will also discuss how Korean performers adapted the song to fit into “white” American popular culture, addressing issues of race, identity, and politics, particularly in the context of McCarthyism and the Cold War. Additionally, he will explore how Arirang has been interpreted through various ideological lenses, including critiques of capitalism, imperialism, and anti-war sentiments, and how it reflects the complexities of Cold War Orientalism, especially concerning gender and sexuality. He will also analyze the song’s stereotypical, somewhat cliché, and implicit portrayal of Korea and Korean identity in contemporary Hollywood cinema.