Rainy music for early monsoon
Try some Korean rainy-day classics as monsoon arrives eariler than usual
"Umbrella" by Epik High
Legendary hip-hop trio Epik High's 'Umbrella' — from its fifth studio album "Pieces, Part One" released in 2008 — is one of the most iconic songs that comes to mind whenever it rains in Korea.
Written and arranged by Tablo, with rap lyrics by Tablo and Mithra Jin, the track features a poignant vocal performance by Younha. The song has become a seasonal staple, consistently returning to the charts during Korea's rainy season for many years.
The calm, steady rapping of Epik High members, layered with emotional string melodies and Younha's soft yet expressive voice — evoking the image of falling raindrops — perfectly captures the melancholic mood of a rainy day. The sound of raindrops in the bridge enhances the immersive, sentimental atmosphere.
'You, Cloud, Rain' by Heize
Released in 2017 as the title track of Heize's EP of the same title, 'You, Cloud, Rain' was written and composed by Heize herself. Though Heize is widely known for her rap skills, this song showcases her depth and emotional range as a vocalist with a smooth, soothing tone.
The track opens with a jazz-influenced piano, and subtle raindrop sounds continue throughout the song, adding to its rainy-day ambiance. Heize's deep, husky voice shines while singing the lower melodies, adding to the track's moodiness.
The song features Shin Yong-jae, a former member of vocal group 4MEN, whose powerful vocals beautifully complement Heize's, conveying the lingering emotions, regret and longing felt after a breakup.
'Rain and You' by Rumble Fish
Originally featured in the 2006 film "Radio Star," "Rain and You" was remade by Rumble Fish for the band's 2008 cover album "Memory for You." At the time, Rumble Fish was a four-member rock band, but today, only vocalist Choi Jin-yi continues to perform under the same name as a solo act.
Choi's sorrowful, hauntingly beautiful voice contrasts with the bold band instrumentation, creating a touching and powerful emotional balance. The lyrics express the irony of yearning for someone who has left, delivering a deeply relatable message of love and loss.
Other than Rumble Fish's version, the song has become a modern classic, widely covered and remade by artists such as No Brain, Lee Mu-jin and Woodz, proving its lasting resonance and popularity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
From birth to death, exhibiting seasons of life through hanbok
Kumdanje, the renowned hanbok brand founded by Lee Il-soon, is celebrating over 30 years of preserving and promoting Korea's rich cultural heritage through traditional attire. Until July 27, the brand is holding a special exhibition titled "Seasons of Life: From Cradle to Sky" at Chuihantang, Samcheonggak in Seoul. The exhibition, which highlights the milestones in a person's life through traditional Korean clothing, aims to give visitors a deeper understanding of how attire can serve as a symbol of cultural values, life transitions and ancestral respect. Walk through seasons of life Lee, a celebrated hanbok designer, explains that the exhibition features a series of garments that correspond to the significant moments in life. From the first clothes worn at birth, known as "baenet jeogori" (a baby's first jacket), to the "baegilbok" (a hundred-day celebration outfit) and "dolbok" (first birthday outfit), the exhibition covers the full spectrum of Korean life stages. The garments include wedding attire and, poignantly, the "suui," a garment worn by the deceased for burial. Lee, whose life's work has revolved around preserving the tradition of hanbok, explains the significance of these garments. 'I have worked as a hanbok designer for 33 years, and in doing so, I have come to deeply appreciate the sacredness of the clothes worn during the milestones in life. From the baby's first clothes to the garments worn at one's death, these outfits are deeply ingrained in our culture and carry a profound meaning,' Lee told The Korea Herald. The exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey through these stages of life, each accompanied by a reflection on the traditions, blessings and prayers embedded in the clothing worn. The clothing not only marks the passage of time but also serves as a vessel for well-wishes and respect for the ancestors. Suui and significance of yundal One of the most captivating elements of this exhibition is the display of "suui," traditional burial clothing, made from silk. Lee Il-soon explains the significance of the suui in the context of Korean tradition: 'The suui is worn for a very specific occasion—the passing of an individual. It is, therefore, a very important garment. This year, we prepared suui for the yundal, or leap month. The leap month is seen as a time when no misfortune can occur, and it is traditionally believed to be a fortuitous time to prepare for important life events, including the preparation of the sui." She explained that while a leap month occurs in three- to four-year intervals, this year's leap month, which falls July 25-Aug. 22, is a special leap month, occurring every 100 years. Lee also highlighted the importance of yundal in Korean tradition. 'In the past, people would prepare the suui in the yundal month to ensure long life for their elders and a peaceful journey for the deceased. It's a special month, one that is believed to be free of misfortune. Preparing the suui during this time carries significant cultural and spiritual meaning,' Lee said. Cultural significance of hanbok Through the exhibition, Lee hopes to raise awareness of the deeper, spiritual meanings attached to traditional Korean attire. 'Hanbok isn't just clothing; it's part of a larger cultural framework,' she asserted. 'Each garment has a story to tell and a purpose beyond what is seen on the surface. Hanbok represents our culture's values of respect, dignity and the acknowledgment of life's transience.' Visitors to the exhibition will have the chance to explore how Korean traditional clothing serves as a medium of communication, conveying wishes for prosperity, good health and longevity. Lee believes that these garments are not merely for ceremonial occasions but are integral to understanding the Korean worldview and spiritual life. Lee's contribution to the global understanding of Korean culture extends beyond this exhibition. She has showcased hanbok on international stages, including in the US and Italy. Her role as a cultural ambassador has made her a key figure in the promotion of traditional Korean fashion worldwide. Lee recalled a particularly poignant moment during a fashion show in Rome when critics described the hanbok collection as 'unimaginably beautiful.' As the designer explains, the connection between Korean tradition and modern fashion has become a defining theme of her career. "Through my work, I have witnessed how the global fashion world embraces and admires the beauty of hanbok. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to preserve and share the deep cultural significance of these garments.' She continued, 'One of my proudest moments was during the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Italy, where I had the honor of presenting hanbok at a fashion show in Rome. The experience solidified my belief in the global appeal of our cultural heritage.' Future beyond tradition The current exhibition offers a glimpse into Lee's vision for the future of hanbok. The designer's daughter Chang Ha-eun, who runs the contemporary hanbok brand OUWR, is working to bridge the gap between traditional and modern fashion. 'My daughter is leading a new wave of innovation, bringing hanbok into the modern era by working with famous K-pop artists such as Blackpink and NewJeans while still honoring its traditional roots. The fusion of past and future is something I am very proud of,' Lee said. With this exhibition, Lee hopes to create a lasting dialogue between the past and the future, inviting both Koreans and foreigners to engage with and appreciate the deeper meaning embedded in the clothing that shapes a person's journey through life. The exhibition is open to the public at Chuihandang in Samcheonggak, Seoul.
Korea Herald
5 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Rainy music for early monsoon
Try some Korean rainy-day classics as monsoon arrives eariler than usual "Umbrella" by Epik High Legendary hip-hop trio Epik High's 'Umbrella' — from its fifth studio album "Pieces, Part One" released in 2008 — is one of the most iconic songs that comes to mind whenever it rains in Korea. Written and arranged by Tablo, with rap lyrics by Tablo and Mithra Jin, the track features a poignant vocal performance by Younha. The song has become a seasonal staple, consistently returning to the charts during Korea's rainy season for many years. The calm, steady rapping of Epik High members, layered with emotional string melodies and Younha's soft yet expressive voice — evoking the image of falling raindrops — perfectly captures the melancholic mood of a rainy day. The sound of raindrops in the bridge enhances the immersive, sentimental atmosphere. 'You, Cloud, Rain' by Heize Released in 2017 as the title track of Heize's EP of the same title, 'You, Cloud, Rain' was written and composed by Heize herself. Though Heize is widely known for her rap skills, this song showcases her depth and emotional range as a vocalist with a smooth, soothing tone. The track opens with a jazz-influenced piano, and subtle raindrop sounds continue throughout the song, adding to its rainy-day ambiance. Heize's deep, husky voice shines while singing the lower melodies, adding to the track's moodiness. The song features Shin Yong-jae, a former member of vocal group 4MEN, whose powerful vocals beautifully complement Heize's, conveying the lingering emotions, regret and longing felt after a breakup. 'Rain and You' by Rumble Fish Originally featured in the 2006 film "Radio Star," "Rain and You" was remade by Rumble Fish for the band's 2008 cover album "Memory for You." At the time, Rumble Fish was a four-member rock band, but today, only vocalist Choi Jin-yi continues to perform under the same name as a solo act. Choi's sorrowful, hauntingly beautiful voice contrasts with the bold band instrumentation, creating a touching and powerful emotional balance. The lyrics express the irony of yearning for someone who has left, delivering a deeply relatable message of love and loss. Other than Rumble Fish's version, the song has become a modern classic, widely covered and remade by artists such as No Brain, Lee Mu-jin and Woodz, proving its lasting resonance and popularity.
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Korea Herald
Hungarian musical 'Nikola Tesla' opens 19th Daegu International Musical Festival
DIMF to feature 30 productions until July 7 DAEGU — The 19th edition of the Daegu International Musical Festival, Korea's premier celebration of musical theater, opened Friday with the Hungarian production 'Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy.' At a press conference held before the musical's first of ten performances at the Daegu Opera House, running through June 28, communication required double translation: from Hungarian to English, and then from English to Korean. It was a symbolic moment, highlighting the rarity and significance of such cross-cultural encounters and mutual exposure. 'This is precisely the role of DIMF, introducing well-made productions from unfamiliar territories,' said Bae Sung-hyuck, executive director of the DIMF. Last year, DIMF opened with the French production 'Holiday' and 'Flying Apsaras,' a Chinese production took home the grand prize. This year's festival features a total of 30 productions from six countries, including Hungary, France, Japan, Taiwan and China. Tibor Vona, executive director of TBG Production, introduced 'Nikola Tesla: Infinite Energy,' which was built upon more than 2,500 pages of research on the scientist. His groundbreaking contributions to modern electrical engineering are echoed in the names of two Nasdaq-listed companies: electric vehicle maker Tesla and electric truck manufacturer Nikola. Gergo Mikola, who plays Tesla, said, 'The production both provokes thoughts and touch hearts. It isn't called infinite energy for no reason — we have amazing choreography.' 'I'm curious about how this production will be perceived by the Korean audiences,' said Nikolett Furedi, who takes dual roles as Duka Tesla in the first act, the scientist's mother, and Sarah Bernhardt in the second. The two-hour musical uses state-of-the-art stage technology to immerse audiences in the pivotal chapters of Tesla's life — from his birthplace in Smiljan, a village in Croatia to cities like Prague, Budapest, Paris, New York and Niagara Falls. This year's DIMF takes place across Daegu from Friday to July 7. Launched in 2006 as part of Daegu City's initiative to establish itself as a hub for musical theater, DIMF has grown into Korea's only global musical festival. In particular, the festival's support program for original musicals has consistently led to tangible outcomes and successes. This year, five new original musicals will be unveiled. Each was selected through DIMF's Original Musical Support Program, which evaluates scripts and music to support stage production. The program has discovered 82 new works over the past 18 years. The festival also nurtures emerging talent through the DIMF College Musical Festival, offering student performers a chance to shine on stage. Now in its 10th year, the DIMF Musical Academy continues to cultivate the next generation of theater professionals through a monthslong intensive program, training aspiring playwrights, composers and actors for careers in musical theater. The festival's closing production is the Chinese musical "Panda," a Korean-Chinese co-production by Songlei Musical Production. Since its premiere in 2022 at the Panda Theater, located within the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province, China, the show has been performed over 1,000 times. The festival will conclude July 7 with the DIMF Awards, celebrating the festival's best performances.
