Dongyang Gozupa

Yanggeum actually translates as "string instrument from the west", but the instrument originated in Persia. Over time, it was adapted and modified in several ways, and was introduced to Korea by way of China before being dubbed yanggeum. Along with the saenghwang (a freereed mouth organ with 17 bamboo pipes), it is one of the few traditional instruments that can play the scales and harmony used in Western music.

Yun Eun-hwa, who heads the Korean chapter of the Cimbalom World Association (the Cimbalom being very similar to the yanggeum), had her instrument custom made. The traditional yanggeum is smaller than hers, and produces only a narrow range of notes, which makes it unsuitable for playing diverse genres. Her own yanggeum has a much wider range, covering four and a half octaves, and is capable of producing the chromatic scale in a similar way to Western musical instruments, enabling it to play just about any genre of music. She also added a pickup to amplify the sound, as well as effects pedals to expand the expressive range, and she now has a patent for the instrument.

Yun began studying music at the age of four in China, and started learning the yanggeum at the age of seven, before majoring in percussion at college in Korea. In 2021 she received the Soorim New Wave Award given by the Soorim Cultural Foundation. This prestigious award is presented each year to just one young traditional musician or team specializing in experimental styles. 

Jang Do-hyuk, meanwhile, is a unique percussionist. He doesn’t play a foot-operated kick bass drum, but instead of playing with both hands and feet, he has created a signature style using hands alone to express the entire spectrum of percussion sounds, from low to high pitch. 

Ham Min-whi’s style of bass playing has been compared to that characterised by the American nu metal band Korn, or the punk rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers.

- 장도혁 Jang Do Hyuk / percussion

- 윤은화 Yun Eun Hwa / yanggeum (Korean dulcimer), janggu, (1,3,4), jabara (1,3,4), glockenspiel (1,3,4)

- 함민휘 Ham Min Hwi / bass

With:

- Lee Chang Hyun / intro voice (1)

All songs arranged by Dongyang Gozupa

Produced by Dongyang Gozupa

Recorded by Jang Do Hyuk

Mixed by Chun Hak Ju (Mushroom Recording Studio)

Mastered by Kang seung Hee (Sonic Korea)

Cover design by Ye-A

1. Wave (4:27) 

2. Now And Then (5:34) 

3. Box (3:20) 

4. Bright Mountain (3:31) 

5. Feed (3:26) 

6. Spring (2:16) 

7. Galaxy (5:07) 

8. Tunnel (3:48) 

9. Past (3:59) 

10. Edge (4:54) 

11. Destruction (3:22) 

12. Noni (4:30) 

13. Island (4:58) 

14. Sleep (2:22) 

Total Time 55:34

- Yun Eun Hwa / yanggeum (Korean dulcimer)

- Choi Woo Young / bass

- Jang Do Hyuk / percussion

Songs 7,12 Composed by Yun Eun Hwa

Songs 2-6,8,9,11,13,14 Composed by Choi Woo Young

Songs 1,10 Composed by Jang Do Hyuk

All Songs arranged by Dongyang Gozupa

Produced by Dongyang Gozupa

Recorded by Chun Hak Ju (Mushroom Recording Studio)

Hwang Seung Yeon (STUDIO61)

Jang Do Hyuk (Ginmurri Lab)

Mixed by Chun Hak Ju (Mushroom Recording Studio)

Mastered by Choi Woo Young

Cover design by Ye-A

CD Mondaybrunch - WMED 1009 (2019, South Korea)

1. Black Desert (4:45) 

2. Speed Of Light (3:44) 

3. Rainbow (4:31) 

4. Compass (4:38) 

5. Gap (3:44) 

6. Spirit (6:39) 

Total Time 28:01

- Yun Eun Hwa / yanggeum (Korean dulcimer)

- Choi Woo Young / bass

- Jang Do Hyuk / percussion

- 윤은화 Yun Eun Hwa / yanggeum (Korean Dulcimer)

- 최우영 Choi Woo Young / bass

- 장도혁 Jang Do Hyuk / percussion

- 장도혁 Jang Do Hyuk / percussion

- 윤은화 Yun Eun Hwa / yanggeum (Korean dulcimer)

- 함민휘 Ham Min Hwi / bass