[OPINION] ‘Pilseung Korea Fantasy’

The way people cheer on sports teams seems to change as time goes by. Most Koreans in their 50s remember the combination of clapping sound and “V.I.C.T.O.R.Y, victory” they used to hear in the stadium. Soon entered the scene cheer girls and organized cheerleading for professional baseball and football teams. Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 4 from New World” was not bad, either, with its march-like dynamic melody.

The 2002 World Cup finals further gave rise to a wide variety of rooting songs and cheers in Korea. Kim Duck-soo and Samulnori (performers of Korean traditional instruments) wrote “World Cup Korea Ah-he-huh,” although it failed to reach the public like many other releases.

People instead began to sing ‘Oh, Pilseung Korea (Korea’s sure to win)’ and chant ‘Dae~ Han Min Guk (Republic of Korea).’ A rock group called Yoon Do-hyun Band edited and started to sing the song of which writer is not known to date. Simple as it is, it rapidly spread through the public. It’s everywhere from homes to schools to workplaces, and even serves as an effective marketing tool for department stores.

Then, why not make a global version and broaden its appeal across the world. Take Beethoven’ Fate. It has a simple introductory part but still is one of the greatest works of mankind. It’s our turn to create added values out of one simple but unique invention.

Both “Oh, Pilseung Korea” and “Dae~ Han Min Guk” begin with a prolonged sound, which helps people make a united voice. The former, in particular, not only sounds moderated and refined, but also has a delightful rhythm of ‘Oh, Oh, Oh’ that comes at the end of a series of chants. The song also reflects the nature of Korean culture that transcends tragedies of history.

Look at the fashion of the national flag, which was unthinkable under the authoritarian rule in the past. To accommodate energy from young people, the old generation must change. We have to turn their passion into a driving force of the country.

Let ‘Oh, Pilseung Korea Fantasy’ reverberate through the world in harmony with folk songs of many different countries. Let young people understand our culture and others’ so that they can become world-class citizens. Culture is about being proud and mature at the same time.