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| Lee Eun-ju, master of Gyeonggi minyo, which is designated Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 57 / Courtesy of Cultural Heritage Administration |
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Lee Eun-ju, a master of Gyeonggi minyo ― Korean folk music from the Gyeonggi region ― passed away Monday at the age of 98. Lee died of old age.
Lee was the last living of the three first-generation-designated master singers of Gyeonggi minyo, along with Ahn Bi-chwi who passed away in 1997 and Muk Gye-wol who died in 2014.
Lee was designated as a master of Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 57 for her abilities in Gyeonggi minyo in 1975 and dedicated her life to transmission and propagation of folk songs of the Gyeonggi region.
Gyeonggi minyo is a modern version of "japga," which refers to vulgar songs enjoyed by commoners in the late Joseon era. Gyeonggi minyo was popular around Seoul and Gyeonggi Province in the early 20th century in a broader sense.
Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 57 status refers specifically to "Gyeonggi Gin Japga" (Long Miscellaneous Songs of Gyeonggi). There are 12 songs included in "Gyeonggi Gin Japga" and they are known for quiet and subtle expressions of the sorrows and delights of the common people.
Born in 1922 in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, Lee started learning Korean traditional vocal styles such as "sijo" and "japga" from Won Gyeong-tae. Lee's real name is Yun-ran, but her teacher gave her the stage name of Eun-ju for her silvery voice.
Lee made her debut in 1939 on a music show of Kyungsung Broadcasting System, now KBS. She won a singing contest at Heungmyeong Theater in Incheon in the same year.
After winning a series of "myeongchang" (master singer) competitions, she became officially designated as a master of Gyeonggi minyo in 1975.
Lee recorded about 80 mini-albums and 300 full albums to promote Gyeonggi minyo, including an album of all 12 Gyeonggi Gin Japga in 1999.
She also established Lee Eun-ju Gyeonggi Chang Research Institute in 1975 to foster new Gyeonggi folk singers.
Lee received the Okgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 1993 and retired in 2013.
