Dae Jang Geum Soundtrack
A beautifully written soundtrack is one reason why Dae Jang Geum became so successful. The fusion of Korean and Western music produces a uniquely mystical sound, without alienating those who may not enjoy traditional Korean music.
Onara is well-known as the main theme from Dae Jang Geum. Written in ancient Korean (which is very different to the Korean spoken today), the meaning of the song remained a mystery even to Koreans. Finally the songwriter revealed the meaning of the song as a tragic (yet oddly lively) lament reflecting the life of a Palace Maid; from being brought into the Palace as a wide-eyed young girl, to retiring after a lifetime of lonliness in the Palace. For the composer, this had to be a 'possible' 16th century Korean song, yet not sound like it was obviously written in 2003.Ha-mang-yeon, the tranquil love theme, was sung by Italian tenor Alessandro Safina (who also lent his vocal talents to the film Moulin Rouge! in 2001). Known for his unique style of combining classical opera with modern music, Safina was an excellent choice to bring Ha-mang-yeon to life. It is an interesting point that a European opera singer was chosen rather than using a Korean tenor from Soeul. But this only highlights the attention to detail shown by the producers of Dae Jang Geum. In addition to singing Ha-mang-yeon in English - which is the main version, Safina also recorded a Korean version (which he pulled off very well).
The instrumental version of Ha-mang-yeon is a wonderfully moving peace, which really showcases the brilliance and versatility of traditional Korean instruments; in particular the Korean flute, which carries the main melody in the second half of the piece.
The lyrics to songs from Dae Jang Geum can be found here. Below you can hear six pieces from the Dae Jang Geum soundtrack, plus watch a short 'Making of the Soundtrack' VOD.
Six pieces from the Soundtrack:
Titles in Korean with approximate English translation in brackets
"Chang-Lyeon" (Introduction- The Legend Becomes History)
"Yeon-Bap" (Preparation of Food in the Royal Kitchens)
"Onara" (Life of a Palace Maid)
"Onara-Dul" (Life of a Palace Maid- Reprise)"
"Ha-mang-yeon" (Love Theme - Sung in English by Alessandro Safina)
"Ha-mang-yeon" (Love Theme - Instrumental version)
Titles in Korean with approximate English translation in brackets
"Chang-Lyeon" (Introduction- The Legend Becomes History)
"Yeon-Bap" (Preparation of Food in the Royal Kitchens)
"Onara" (Life of a Palace Maid)
"Onara-Dul" (Life of a Palace Maid- Reprise)"
"Ha-mang-yeon" (Love Theme - Sung in English by Alessandro Safina)
"Ha-mang-yeon" (Love Theme - Instrumental version)
Making of the Soundtrack:
posted by Alice at 9:49 AM
19 Comments:
Hi, Just wanna say I really appreciate what you are doing here. I love the show and the OST. Always looking forward more news. Thanks!
Hi, Alice
I listened the 3 musics you linked, and found your wonderful selection. I like especially the second one. The rhythm of the 2nd music follws Korean traditional farmers dancing which is called Nong-Ak. They celebrate harvest of the crops every autumn. They march through many villages with dancing. During they march, they play music with various kinds of drums, flutes, small brass drums (Kwaeng-ga-ri), a big brass drum (Jing), and some other instruments. In Korean farmers dancing, a small brass drum, playing somewhat fast rhythm that sounds different from symbals, is the leader of music which you can hear during the OST music. The rhythm is a little similar with the title sound of the movies "Terminator". However, the rhythm is Korean traditional for thousands of year.
I remember that when I was a small boy I with my friends follwed the dancing farmers to watch more closely when they were passing our village with dancing.
wow thanks for the names of the songs!! i love yeon-bap
Where can we buy this tremendous and moving soundtrack?!
omg i luv u, thankx for "Onara-Dul" (Life of a Palace Maid- Reprise).
Your website is such a treasure! Thank you for all your hard work and extensive research, and especially for the music tracks. It's like watching Dae Jang Geum all over again. :) Looking forward to the DJG's debut on BBC~
It's just a matter of time..
Dae Jang Geum has the best soundtrack ever!
Thanks for the info and music links :-)
awesome!
i can't seem to be able to listen to the files =(
i really want the song they use during the feasts, you know with the king and the dancers and everything?
do you have it? or do you know where i can get it?
Hey, I also love the show and the music of it, especially the first ending theme. I'm glad you have this site, thank you!
Now you can see full series in youtube from Catiring. She has already uploaded all series in english subtitle.
Hai, my name is Merlin and I leave in Indonesia. The serial of Dae Jang Geum or Jewel In The Palace, is very popular in Indonesia when its played in Indonesian's television several years ago. The OST-Onara, is very amazing. This serial is everlasting korea drama I have seen until now.
Now in Indonesia, the new korea drama-history genre is Hwang Ji Ni. Are that will be successful such as Jewel? Let's we see....
merlinchung@gmail.com
Dae Jang Geum will be shown soon in UK we hope!
Can I add my name to the growing list of fans who want to see DJG on the BBC? I saw the series dubbed into Japanese when living in Tokyo. To begin with it was my wife who was watching it and I was just dismissing it as "some chick TV thing". But she kept bugging me to watch it with her and in an instant I was hooked. It is simply one of the best things I have ever seen on TV, anywhere, period.
It has everything: intrigue, heroism, betrayal, filial love, sadness, happiness, tension, humour - you name it. Plus, the costumes are fabulous, the cultural references fascinating, the acting excellent, the characters engaging - and, it has FOOD as well! What more can the BBC want? Admittedly there's no sex but I quite like that: it's nice to have a bit of good wholesome entertainment on TV for a change. I hope the campaign is successful. If it doesn't I'll hve to order the DVDs from and they're a bit pricey.
I have very fond memories of getting back from work on Saturday evening (damn those six-day weeks), putting our baby son to bed and settling down with my wife for a sushi takeaway, some good sake and an episode of Changum no Chikai as it was known in Japan. I'd love to re-live those times and if that isn't a good enough reason to support the Get DJG on the BBC I don't know what is.
Hello from the South Pacific,
Our local TV station here in Fiji began showing "Dae Jang Geum" two weeks ago.I am a male and have never liked soap dramas but when I accidentally switched on the tv to "Dae Jang Geum" two weeks ago,I was instantly a fan of this TV series.What a wonderful story.The series scenery and music are just perfect.I told my mom and sisters about this tv series and now everyone in the home eagerly awaits every episode shown each night of the week.Even on the weekend,we watch the episode replays.Now my favorite new phrase is "Mamanim(madam)".I hope the BBC will show it for your nation.I know it will bring alot of enjoyment for the people there as it does for us here in Fiji.God bless.
dae jang geum is so smart,talented.kind...she have every good thing and abilities.. DAE JANG GEUM DESERVES WHAT SHE HAD IN THE END AND SHE IS A TRUE HERO OF ALL TIME!!!!! I SALUTE HER!THANX FOR MAKING HER LIFE A MOVIE...I SALUTE DAE JANG GEUM!!!!!!!
They celebrate harvest of the crops every autumn. They march through many villages with dancing. During they march, they play music with various kinds of drums, flutes, small brass drums (Kwaeng-ga-ri), a big brass drum (Jing), and some other instruments. In Korean farmers dancing, a small brass drum, playing somewhat fast rhythm that sounds different from symbals, is the leader of music which you can hear during the OST music.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/wkLN24Kn/Dae_Jang_Geum.html
if you wanna download the songs from this series.APNA is a very special song i'm loving. you have to click on the green arrows,then the blue button download now,and after 20 sec the download button.
I am watching Dae Jang Geum on DVD. I was searching for it all this while and i finally found it. I love watching DJG......and the music is so serene.
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