As Korea celebrates Chuseok under the autumn harvest moon, a growing number of K-pop artists are honoring their cultural heritage by incorporating gugak, Korea's centuries-old traditional music, into contemporary pop productions. This fusion of ancient and modern sounds has created some of the most distinctive tracks in K-pop, demonstrating how global artists can amplify rather than abandon their roots.
From royal military processions transformed into hip-hop anthems to delicate ballads enhanced by traditional instruments, these musical marriages showcase the versatility and enduring power of Korean cultural traditions. The integration of gugak elements into K-pop represents more than just artistic experimentation—it reflects a broader movement among Korean artists to celebrate their identity on the global stage.
BTS made one of the boldest statements of Korean pride with "IDOL" from their 2018 album "Love Yourself: Answer." The explosive lead single combines South African dance beats, trap grooves, and EDM drops with jangdan, the rhythmic foundation of traditional Korean music, and pansori, Korea's ancient storytelling musical form. These folk elements, traditionally associated with rural performances, burst through the modern production as emphatic declarations of heritage. The unlikely fusion of African polyrhythms and Korean folk idioms embodies BTS's philosophy that local and global influences can not only coexist but thrive within the same musical framework.
Suga of BTS took this concept even further with "Daechwita," released under his solo moniker Agust D in 2020. The track samples actual daechwita—royal military music once performed during kings' processions—and weaves it through a contemporary hip-hop landscape of trap beats. The piercing sound of the taepyeongso, a traditional Korean oboe, cuts through the mix, creating a striking dialogue with modern 808 drum sounds. While Suga had previously expressed appreciation for Korean rhythmic structures, "Daechwita" marked the first time he centered an entire solo track around them, creating a sound that is simultaneously reverent and defiant.
Stray Kids brought their own interpretation to the gugak-pop fusion with "Thunderous" in 2021. Produced by the group's in-house trio 3RACHA, comprising Bang Chan, Changbin, and Han, the track layers blaring horns and trap percussion with intricate sonic details. The most distinctive element is the kkwaenggwari, a metallic gong from Korean folk bands whose sharp strikes become the song's driving pulse. This creates a spirit that feels both confrontational and celebratory, making "Thunderous" an accessible entry point for listeners new to gugak while reframing tradition through the confident swagger of modern idol hip-hop.
Not all gugak fusion focuses on intensity, as demonstrated by Oh My Girl's 2019 reinterpretation of Lovelyz's "Destiny" during Mnet's competition show "Queendom." The performance showcased gugak's softer, more poignant qualities, with lush strings giving way to the earthy resonance of the gayageum, a traditional Korean plucked zither. The choreography mirrored the flowing elegance of traditional Korean aesthetics, creating a cinematic stage that fused pop balladry with a dreamy, traditional atmosphere. With its delicate, moonlit poise, Oh My Girl's version of "Destiny" captures the reflective spirit of Chuseok itself—a night of family reunion and contemplation under the full moon.
VIXX had already established themselves as masters of high-concept aesthetics, exploring themes from vampires to cyborgs, but "Shangri-La" in 2017 marked their shift toward traditional fantasy. The track layers shimmering synthesizers with subtle gugak-inspired melodies, while the visual presentation unmistakably embraced Korean tradition through flowing robes reminiscent of hanbok, ornate folding screens, and choreography featuring traditional folding fans. What could have appeared as a mere gimmick instead became iconic, inspiring a wave of boy bands to experiment with Korean traditional aesthetics and proving that idol groups could transform historical imagery into futuristic spectacle.
ONEUS achieved perhaps the most elegant form of gugak fusion with "LUNA" in 2021. Opening with a haunting piri line—a traditional double-reed wind instrument—the track weaves poetic lyrics and fan dance motifs into a contemporary K-pop single that feels both mystical and accessible. The song's careful balance of Eastern and Western elements demonstrates ONEUS's talent for theatrical storytelling, with tradition serving not merely as an accent but as the very foundation of their concept. The track's quality didn't go unnoticed by critics, earning recognition as the fourth-best K-pop song of 2021 according to Billboard's annual ranking.
These six tracks represent more than just musical experimentation—they embody a cultural philosophy that embraces heritage while reaching for global audiences. As families gather during Chuseok to celebrate harvest, abundance, and connection to their ancestors, these songs serve as modern expressions of the same values, proving that K-pop's worldwide success doesn't require abandoning Korean identity but rather can be built upon it.
