hankyoreh

The unique Korean rock band SsingSsing, which is inspired by traditional Korean folk music called “minyo,” recently appeared on the NPR show “Tiny Desk Concert.” The band, which features a drummer, bassist, guitarist, and three singers, will kick off a world tour in Europe beginning in November, and has plans to visit Australia and the United States next year.

The band is notable for both its modernized take on minyo, and the costumes of its cross-dressing singers. Vocalist Lee Hee-moon told NPR host Bob Boilen, “In Korean traditional art, male shamans, called baksu, have the body of a male. But as mediums, they need more than a single sexual identity, because they're channeling both male and female spirits. When I act a female character and sing, I have to overcome the fact of my being a male sorikkun (singer), and try my utmost to bring a more neutral, unisex feeling to the performance.” (provided by SsingSsing)