Minyo (민요)

Minyo, or a folk song, is a simple and honest song transmitted through commoners with their feelings, customs, and kindness. It was created, enjoyed, and transmitted by commoners. Anyone can create and sing minyo with no special talents or skills. There is no official way to enjoy creating and singing it. Minyo is peoples song that has been created and maintained based upon their anonymity.

There are about 200 songs of minyo, and most of them are songs for singing while working. These songs became necessary for rice farming, which required cooperation of many people. Minyo can be categorized into tosokminyo and tosongminnyo, according to the feature. It can also be categorized into Gyeonggi minyo for Seoul and Geyonggi, Seodo minyo for Hwanghae-do and Pyeongan-do, Dongbu minyo for Gyeognsang-do, Gangwon-do, and Hamgyeong-do, Namdo minyo for Jeolla-do, and Jeju-do minyo in terms of its musical features and region. As for another categorization for its function, minyo is divided into songs for work, ceremony, and entertainment. In terms of popularity, minyo can be songs for adults, women, and children.

*Tosokminyo ： It has a long history. It was sung in a limited area, featured as being simple, and transmitted through people living in that area. Songs that belong to tosokminyo are Farmers Song, Weeding Song, Song of Pulling a Fishing Net, Shovel Song, Dirge, and Ground Hardening Song

*Tongsokminyo : It has a relatively short history. It was sung in many areas. It is refined and exquisite. It is made by professional entertainers and sung by them. Through time, it dispersed among people. Songs that belong to tongsokminyo are Looking at Me, Hwacho Intersection, Nilliria, Changbu-taryeong, and Taepyeongga (Peace Song).

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