씽씽 – Sashiraengi Sound

Have you ever heard traditional Korean folk singing fused with glam rock and disco? If not, get ready to experience something truly unique! Today, we’re diving into “Sashiraengi Sound” (사시랭이소리) by SsingSsing, a groundbreaking band that blended Korean shamanic vocal traditions with modern rock energy.

This song is perfect for intermediate Korean learners who want to expand their vocabulary beyond everyday conversation. While the lyrics draw from traditional folk expressions and poetic imagery, they’re packed with useful grammar patterns like -네 (exclamatory endings) and -고 (listing/connecting). The repetitive structure also makes it easier to catch recurring words and phrases. Plus, learning through such a distinctive song will make these patterns unforgettable!

Listen

Lyrics Preview

Want to see the full lyrics? Check them out on Bugs!

Key Expressions

Here are the must-know expressions from this song!

만발하다 man-bal-ha-da
To be in full bloom. This beautiful expression describes flowers blooming abundantly and is commonly used during spring in Korea.

벚꽃이 만발해서 공원이 정말 예뻐요.
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, so the park is really beautiful.

모이다 mo-i-da
To gather, to assemble. This verb describes people or things coming together in one place.

가족들이 명절에 다 모여요.
The whole family gathers during holidays.

따라가다 tta-ra-ga-da
To follow, to go after. A combination of 따라 (following) and 가다 (to go).

저를 따라가세요.
Please follow me.

주인 ju-in
Owner, master, host. This word is used for owners of houses, shops, pets, and more.

이 가게 주인은 정말 친절해요.
The owner of this store is really kind.

딸딸거리다 ttal-ttal-geo-ri-da
To make a sputtering or rattling sound. This onomatopoeia describes the sound of an old engine or vehicle.

오래된 오토바이가 딸딸거리며 지나갔어요.
An old motorcycle passed by with a sputtering sound.

Grammar Points

-네 (Exclamatory/Observation Ending)

The ending -네 is used when the speaker makes an observation or expresses mild surprise about something they’ve just noticed or realized. It gives a natural, conversational feeling and is often used when commenting on situations in real-time. In the song, we hear “넘치네” (it overflows) and “샀네” (they bought) showing this observational tone.

-고 (Listing/Connecting Actions)

The connector -고 is used to list multiple actions, states, or items. It works like “and” in English, connecting verbs or adjectives. In the song, “니 죽고” shows one action connected to another. This is one of the most essential connectors in Korean!

Culture Note

SsingSsing was a Korean project band active from 2010 to 2018 that created a truly revolutionary sound by combining traditional Korean folk music (minyo) with glam rock, disco, and psychedelic rock. What made them even more distinctive was their bold visual style featuring cross-dressing, which wasn’t just for show. It connected to Korean shamanic traditions where male shamans (baksu) would embody both masculine and feminine spirits, expressing a gender-neutral identity on stage.

The song “Sashiraengi Sound” was released in August 2017 as part of their self-titled EP. The lyrics feature traditional folk imagery like pear blossoms (이화), peach blossoms (도화), and references to rural Korean life with rice paddies and fields, relatives gathering, and old bicycles rattling down country roads.

Fun fact! SsingSsing gained unexpected international fame after appearing on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in 2017, with their performance video surpassing one million views. The New York Times called them an “irreverent but intriguing hybrid.” After the band disbanded, some members including producer and bassist Jang Young-gyu went on to form Lee Nal-chi, another innovative Korean traditional fusion group that achieved massive success with their viral hit “Tiger Is Coming.”

Keep Learning

• Browse more Intermediate songs
• Study with a teacher