Soriggun Munsujeong Releases Single Album 'Neungsowa' Inspired by Andong Mummy Letter Motif

Ms. Moon Su-jeong, a Korean traditional singer and a designated holder of the National Intangible Cultural Property for Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang, has released her solo song "Neungsowha" after 11 years.

Inspired by a poignant letter found in a mummy discovered in Andong, the song draws attention by incorporating the legend of "Neungsowha." It tells the story of a woman’s heartrending cry as she defies fate, waiting for the day to reunite, with the Neungsowha flower symbolizing their immortal love.

In 1998, a mummy was discovered at a residential development site in Andong. The excavated mummy was identified as Lee Eung-tae of the Goseong Lee clan and his grandmother. The inside of the wooden coffin was perfectly preserved without any damage, leading to the initial assumption that it was a recent tomb.

However, it was soon revealed to be a 400-year-old Joseon Dynasty tomb, and a letter written by Lee Eung-tae’s wife was found inside, attracting significant interest. The letter contained the word "love" written in Hangul and expressed a sorrowful longing for her husband who had passed away before her.

Based on this story, Moon Su-jeong, a holder of Gayageum Byeongchang, delivers a deeply resonant voice filled with heartfelt sorrow.

Moon Su-jeong became a designated holder of National Intangible Cultural Property No. 23, "Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang," after studying under Master Kang Jeong-sook. After graduating from university, she pursued a master's degree in Korean traditional music at Yongin University Graduate School of Arts, where she studied the pansori piece Simcheongga under the renowned singer Yoon Jin-cheol.

In 2003, she performed the complete pansori Heungboga by invitation from the Gangneung Arts Association. Starting with an invited performance in Jinan City, China in 2004, she expanded her activities globally with performances in Denmark, Eastern Europe, and at the Qingdao Cultural Center in China.

She has received numerous awards, including the Grand Prize in the Byeongchang category at the 2002 Namwon Chunhyang Festival, the Grand Prize (Minister of Culture Award) in the National Gugak Competition hosted by the Korean Gugak Association, and the Gold Prize in the Gayageum Byeongchang category at the 2005 KBS Gugak Competition.

Since 2002, she has been working as a professor at the Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Association under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.