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"Pal Man Dae Jang Kyong", which roughly translates to "80,000 Great Words" is the first in a planned series of albums that are aimed at making this internationally recognized cultural relic (Korean National Treasure Number 32) more accessible to the people of Korea and the World. This album marks Kim's first attempt to reach an international audience with his unique sound. By combining traditional Korean wind, string, and percussion instruments with their Western orchestral counterparts and adding the modern "High Tech"sound of a synthesizer, Kim's music has global appeal. Using his now trade mark style of combining Oriental and Western music, he has "harmonized"the two forms and created a brilliant hybrid. This 42 minute long piece is divided into 4 movements representing historical events surrounding the creation of the first moveable printing blocks in human history, and the horrific Mongolian invasion of Korea in the 13th century. This unique harmonizing of musical styles offers the listener a very special musical experience. |
The Sound of Invocation II Released June 1998 |
"The Sound of Invocation II" is the second in a planned series of albums dealing with Kim's feelings about life's journey expressed through his music. This album takes the listener on a spiritual odyssey through time and space; experiencing through the music emotions such as: temptation, frustration, patience, and triumph. The things people might feel as they looked back over the course of their lives. There are quiet thoughtful moments and boisterous celebrations, all sewn together with a haunting celestial melody. All of this achieved by Kim's trade mark style of combining Western and Oriental instruments to create a harmonious blending of musical cultures. |
Best of Film Music #2 Released June 1997 |
Best Music for Films - 02 is a collection of movie soundtracks written and composed by Kim highlighting his use of western instruments in Korean films that he has worked on since 1983. This album includes award winning tracks from such Korean movies as: "Berlin Report","Men in Blue"and "Whale Hunting" The track from the movie "Whale Hunting"s particularly noteworthy. Not only did Kim write and perform the music, but he also made his screen acting debut in this movie as the leading man. Additionally, Kim won the "Fresh Face" award at the Back Sang movie awards for his performance. Finally, "Whale Hunting" was the most commercially successful Korean movie of 1983 and spawned several sequels. |
Best of Film Music #1 Released June 1997 |
Best Music for Films - 01 is a collection of soundtrack music that Kim created for various Korean movie productions between 1983 and 1997. This album concentrates on Korean traditional music and makes use of unique musical instruments of Korean origin. (Korean Instruments) The various tracks range from the soft and sweet melody of "The way of Sound to the mournful and haunting resonance of "A Millennium Crane" Most of the pieces have received numerous awards from within the Korean film and music industries. |
Chang Released 1997
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Chang is the sound track album for the movie of the same name. Commercially very successful, (Chang means prostitute in Chinese) and was directed by renowned Korean director Im Kwon-Taek. The movie follows the life of a poor Korean country girl who applies for what she thinks is an "entertainment" job, only to find herself trapped in the unhappy life of a "Working Girl". Using both Korean and Western instruments, the music follows the emotional peaks and valleys of the main character as she tries to escape her situation. The soundtrack creates in the listener the feeling of great longing and loss which is the theme of this movie. |
Festival Released June 1996 |
Festival is the soundtrack album of the film by the same name. This film tells the story of a typical Korean family that has been brought together by the death of their grandmother. The history of the family unfolds as the characters make the complicated preparations for a traditional Korean funeral. The participants experience a wide range of emotions potently expressed by the powerful soundtrack. As usual, Kim uses a combination of Western and Korean instruments to help tell this bittersweet story of the human condition. |
Collection of Childrens Songs Released May1995 |
Collection of Childrens Songs This album came about as a result of Kim's concern for children growing up so fast inthis rapidly changing world. He wanted to put together an album that would speak directly to children on their level. The songs are drawn from a variety of sources including work he has done on film and television. The songs were written for children, but are also appreciated by adults. "Chiki, Chiki, Chaka, Chaka" is one of Korea's most popular songs, and is loved by both children and adults alike. |
The Road to Hwang Chon Released 1994 |
The Road to Hwang Chon is a collection of pieces that combine Korean and Western musical instruments, composed by Kim between 1984 and 1987. The word Hwangchon is the Asian equivalent of Hades. The overall sound of the album gives the listener the definite feeling they are on some sort of epic journey. The mournful wail of the ancient Tae-pyong-so and Pee-ree (Korean Instruments) integrated with the modern synthesizer combines for a unique listening experience. The finale of this album "A Sight to See" was specifically commissioned by the Korean Government to celebrate the opening of the 1986 Asian games, and was first played publicly at a special ceremony on the eve of those games. |
SOPYONJE Released 1994 |
SOPYONJE is a Western Style soundtrack album, and marks the first time this approach was used in the Korean music industry. Prior to the So-pyon-je's release, Korean movie music was only a collection of songs and as such lost much of the connection to the movie. So-pyon-je tells the story of a Korean family of traveling musicians. It follows the main characters through childhood and into early adult life. Set around the time of the Korean Civil War, the story shows the characters's struggle to survive in a time of rapidly changing cultural values. There are happy times along with incidents of great loss and personal tragedy, all of which are complimented with this powerful and emotional soundtrack. Both the movie and the soundtrack won multiple awards both domestically and internationally. Awards included, "Best Picture"of the year at the 1994 Singapore International Film Festival! |
Sori for Invocation Released November 1994 |
Sori for Invocation includes the composition ... "The sound of Invocation" which won first prize at the Eleventh Korean Dance Festival. This is of special note because this was the first time a person without a formal Korean Traditional Music background had ever won a prize in this kind of competition! Kim shows his versatility combining: "Pop", "African Traditional" and "Korean Traditional" music to form one harmonious work that deftly combines foreign influences but stays true to the spirit of Korean Traditional Music. |
Tae-Baek-San-Maek Released 1994 |
Tae-Baek-San-Maek album is a personal favorite of Kim Soo Chul. He has often said that this album comes the closest to the image of what he wanted to accomplish when he set about composing it. Having won "Best Musical Achievement" at the 33rd annual Tae-Jong movie awards and "Best Movie Music"at the 16th Chung-Young Awards, there were many music critics that must have felt the same way! This album also features another innovation in Korean music. Kim uses the Tae-pyung-so and Pee-Ree as the focal point of the theme and for the first time in Korean music history, combines orchestral backup to the Korean instrumental solos. In other passages Kim interlaces Korean and Western percussion as well as using a synthesizer to capture the majesty of nature, the chaos of battle, and the tragedy of human conflict. |
Men in Blue Released 1994 |
Men in Blue is an album that demonstrates Kim's great versatility. Composing and arranging the music, performing all of the vocal chores, and playing most of the instruments, Kim puts together an "unplugged" album of depth and charm. The themes are universal and the style is that of "Cool Jazz". As is apparent from the album cover, the man has got "The Blues".The various songs speak of the trials and uncertainties of middle age, and the eternal question; "What does it all mean?" |