South Korea
애국가
Aegukga
Aegukga
1896
1948
Yun Chi-ho or Ahn Changho (debated)
Ahn Eak-tai
🌿 Nature ❤ Love of homeland 💪 Resilience |
Context
The lyrics were written around 1907 during the Korean Empire's final years, when Japan was tightening its colonial grip. The original melody was actually the Scottish tune 'Auld Lang Syne,' which Koreans sang for decades. The current melody was composed by Ahn Eak-tai in 1935 while he was studying in Spain, and officially adopted in 1948.
Lyrics
동해물과 백두산이 마르고 닳도록
하느님이 보우하사 우리나라 만세.
무궁화 삼천리 화려 강산
대한 사람, 대한으로 길이 보전하세.
Translations are non-official and intended to convey meaning, not replace originals
Interesting facts
- • For decades, Koreans sang the anthem's words to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne' before a dedicated Korean melody was composed
- • The rose of Sharon (mugungwha) mentioned throughout the anthem blooms for nearly 100 days, symbolizing Korean resilience and perseverance
- • North Korea has its own anthem with strikingly different values: while the South's anthem emphasizes nature and eternal spirit, the North's focuses on the state and revolutionary power