Exhibition spotlights American who made folk song 'Arirang' global

A promotional poster of the Hulbert Memorial Society's exhibition "Arirang, Discovering Korea’s Treasure 130 Years Ago" / Courtesy of Hulbert Memorial Society

A special exhibition in Seochon, a historic enclave in central Seoul, is shedding new light on Homer B. Hulbert, the American educator who introduced Korea’s traditional folk song “Arirang” to an international audience.

The Hulbert Memorial Society said Thursday that the exhibition, titled “Arirang, Discovering Korea’s Treasure 130 Years Ago,” will run for a month beginning March 19 at the headquarters of Hamkkebom in Seoul's Jongno District.

The exhibition marks the 130th anniversary of Hulbert’s transcription of “Arirang” into Western musical notation. An American educator and advocate for Korean independence, he is credited with introducing the folk song to an international audience in 1896 by arranging it on a Western scale — a step that helped bring global attention to Korea’s traditional music.

The event also coincides with the 140th anniversary of Hulbert’s arrival in Korea on July 5, 1886, adding further significance to the exhibition.

Organizers said the exhibition will feature a range of materials highlighting Hulbert’s life and achievements. In addition to historical documents, the exhibition invites visitors to experience reinterpretations of “Arirang” through artificial intelligence (AI)-driven video and music installations, an effort to fuse traditional culture with contemporary technology.

A series of cultural programs will accompany the exhibition, including book concerts, celebratory performances and hands-on activities for visitors. Set within a traditional hanok — a traditional Korean house — the exhibition aims to offer an immersive experience that brings together history, music and technology.

“The exhibition comes at a time when the global spread of Korean culture is drawing renewed attention,” said Hulbert Memorial Society Chairman Kim Dong-jin.

“With BTS scheduled to hold an ‘Arirang’-themed performance on March 21, global interest in Korean culture is growing. We hope to highlight that one of its starting points lies in Hulbert’s documentation of ‘Arirang.’”

Beyond the exhibition, Hamkkebom is set to launch the inaugural “Dreaming Arirang AI Video Contest,” a competition featuring a total prize pool of 13 million won ($9,800).

The competition invites creators to produce AI-based video works inspired by their own interpretations of “Arirang,” encouraging new artistic approaches that blend traditional melodies with modern technology.

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.