Echoes of AriRang (Please watch to the finale) Arirang is the most popular of all folk songs in Korea and its echoes in modern Korea reflect the indomitable spirit of the Korean people. Korea, in its long history, has experienced invasions and cultural challenges that have attempted to erase that ancient spirit of the people of Korea - self-reliance, independence, hospitality, and an engaging smile that melts the heart of the stranger. But throughout all those challenges of the past, the song, Arirang, has reminded the Korean people of their ancient heritage. Regardless the cold circumstances of war and hardship, Arirang survives and reminds the Korean culture of their character and instinctive determination to hold to those things that have distinguished the Korean people from all others of the Asian Pacific region. When I hear this song played and sung so beautifully, it brings such happy memories of a time in my life that my eyes were opened to an expanded understanding of the grandeur and invincible spirit of the Korean people. They will survive as a culture and people in the future just as they have from antiquity past. From Mt. Paektu-san in the North to Busan's southern harbor, the heart-strings of Korea vibrate in the words and music of Arirang. (J. Ogles)