SsingSsing
SsingSsing | |
|---|---|
SsingSsing performing at The Cedar Cultural Center in August 2017 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | South Korea |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2010–2018 |
| Members |
|
SsingSsing (Hangul: 씽씽) was a South Korean band that combined Korean folk music with glam rock, disco, and psychedelic rock.[1] The band formed in 2010 and gained international attention in 2017 after performing on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and Globalfest at Webster Hall.[2][3][1] The band's six members included traditional singer Lee Hee-moon and music director Jang Young-gyu.[4][5] SsingSsing disbanded in October, 2018. When asked about the band in 2019, Lee Hee-moon said "it is a project band that has disbanded. I loved being a part of it, but as of now, I do not have a plan to do it again."[6]
Artistry
Visual presentation
The band described their style as "authentic Korean traditional vocals with rock band music, combined with an extravagant visual style and stage manners."[7]
SsingSsing’s performances often featured elaborate costuming and accessories. The singers dressed in drag to reinterpret old Korean shaman traditions in what The New York Times describes as an "irreverent but intriguing hybrid."[1][7] Music critics Anastasia Tsioulcas and Bob Boilen in NPR’s All Songs Considered described SsingSsing as "very glam, very rock and roll and very ready to play with the concept of gender. Because male shamans in Korean traditional art need to channel male and female spirits, the men in the band cross-dress."[8]
Vocalist Hee-moon Lee has elaborated on SsingSsing's trademark appearance, noting that the drag elements were more than just cosmetic:
"In Korean traditional art, male shamans, called baksu, have the body of a male. But as mediums, they need more than a single sexual identity, because they're channeling both male and female spirits. When I act a female character and sing, I have to overcome the fact of my being a male sorikkun (singer), and try my utmost to bring a more neutral, unisex feeling to the performance".[9][7]
Musical style
SsingSsing incorporates gyeonggi sori, a folk style of singing which originates from the central province around Seoul. Gyeonggi sori is recognized as one of the important Intangible Cultural Assets of Korea (Asset #57).[10] Other styles present in their music are seodo sori, which originates from the northwest provinces of North Korea, Hwanghae and Pyeongan folk songs, and the shamanistic-ritual based seoul gut.[11][12]
Heewon Kim called attention to the rural elements of SsingSsing's use of folk minyo style: "we can try to define the band’s genre as alternative Minyo rock. Minyo is characterized by its emphasis on strong vocal lines and lyrics that sing about peasant lives."[7]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Korea noted that "in a fast-growing society where people tend to stray away from traditional rituals, SsingSsing brings them back in touch with the cultural roots of Korea through a very playful style, accessible for 21st century urban citizens."[10][12]
SsingSsing received accolades for bringing Korean music beyond K-Pop to global audiences.[13]
Members
- Lee Hee-moon (vocals)
- Jang Young-gyu (music director, bass guitar)
- Choo Da-hye (vocals)
- Shin Seung-tae (vocals)
- Lee Chul-hee (drums)
- Lee Tae-won (electric guitar)[7]
Discography
Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| SSINGSSING |
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References
- ^ a b c Pareles, Jon (2017). "Review: At Globalfest, a World of Cultural Keepsakes With a Dance Beat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ "씽씽(SsingSsing) 소개" [SsingSsing Profile]. Mnet (in Korean). Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- ^ Elder, Duncan (2017-10-25). "Cross-dressing, shamanism influenced rock band 'Ssing Ssing' gaining attention after NPR Tiny Desk performance". The Jeju Weekly. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ Park, Jin-hai (2017-12-25). "Band SsingSsing hits US with 'minyo rock'". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- ^ "JANG Young-gyu". Korean Film Biz Zone. Korean Film Council. Retrieved 2018-04-03.
- ^ "[INTERVIEW] Korean folk song master reveals why he acts like 'alien'". 4 July 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Kim, Heewon (2017-10-24). "Ssing Ssing Sings Mash-Up of Korean Folk Music and Rock". The Korea Daily. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ Tsioulcas, Anastasia; Boilen, Bob. "Our Top Discoveries From globalFEST 2017". All Songs Considered. NPR. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ "SsingSsing: Tiny Desk Concert". NPR.org. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ a b Korea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of. "Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea". bel.mofa.go.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2017-10-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "SsingSsing @ globalFEST 2017". Korean Cultural Center New York. Retrieved 2017-10-31.
- ^ a b "Notice: SsingSsing at the Joe's Pub". Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in New York. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 30 Oct 2017.
- ^ "The Korean Kontingent". sounds magazine. 2017-06-10. Retrieved 2017-10-31.