Intruduction of the "Coronavirus Arirang", manifestation of the universal value and international acknowledgement.

"With an unfamiliar word Coronavirus/ The world is going through a lot of struggle

There is no cure or preventive medicine/ I wish I could come up with it

Be careful not to get infected/ We can fight it, don't be scared

Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo/ Pass by me through the path of Arirang"

These are the first 3 out of 6 verses. The world is already terrified enough and there is no cure or vaccine yet, but the verse contains a reference to "medicine business" put in a joking manner in Gyeongsang-do dialect, that in order to put one's mind at ease, more and more drugs are being sold.

"Keep the social distancing and wear masks/ Wash your hands well for prevention

Disinfect the surroundings and maintain coughing etiquette/ Let's lead a healthy lifestyle

Hang in everyone, hang in everyone, let's beat the Coronavirus/ There is a big distance between us, but our hearts are close.”

The pharmaceutical companies might try to keep us in the dark, but the preventive measures are the ones known from long before. But isn't it a paradox that lies in the "core of universality"?

I know it, and you know it, that's why you and I must keep in mind what are supposed to know - that's what the "Arirang - the song that precedes people" is about. To put it in academic terms, it is called ‘Arirang Versification Method’.

(Professor Kang Teung-hak of Kangreung National University)

Here the success of Na Woon-gyu's movie "Arirang" is explained with the following logic: "if you put the main topic ahead, it's not a poem or a song." Simply put, "If you leave me and go, your feet will get sore" – a theme song could have preceded the movie itself. (Ki Mi-yang, Secretary General of the Arirang Association)

According to this logic, "Coronavirus Arirang” is a song aimed to convey the main passage and main measures.

"There is a big distance between us, but our hearts are close."

In fact, if the hearts want to be close to each other, wouldn't mutual attraction be stronger if they are physically further apart? Isn't it natural that wearing masks, washing hands, maintaining coughing etiquette increases mutual attraction, magnetic magnetism and respect? In this regard, this song has a chance to become "a song that precedes people."

# When among the press release materials we saw phrases like "purely private organizations”, "despite the drizzling rain” and when we saw the attached pictures, suddenly we had a strong desire to write a sentimental note rather than an article. We weren't asked to write a report, but we were told, "Please, take a look at the materials and if you feel like this topic is close to you, spread the word about it".

"Coronavirus Arirang" was first presented on 14th July at the outdoor concert platform of the Mungyeong city Jungang Park by the Arirang City Mungyeong Citizens Committee (Chairman Lee Man-yu).

Chairman Lee expressed his deep pride by saying that, "It is for the first time that we present the Coronavirus Arirang nationwide as a result of careful planning and promotion. It is a meaningful work of Mungyeong, the city of Arirang, on its own that will be spread to the whole world."

"Coronavirus Arirang" appeared 90 years after the "Vaccination Arirang" (Vaccination Propaganda), a song sung to motivate the vaccination against smallpox in the 1930. "Coronavirus Arirang" reflects the issues of its epoch and we have no doubt that it will become a true masterpiece," - he added.

About 50 people participated at the presentation during the rainy day: Vice-Chairman of the Mungyeong City Council Lee Jeong-gil, Operation Director Seo Jeong-shik, Chairman of the Gugok Wonlim Preservation Society Kim Dong-ik, local history students and Arirang researchers.

Vice-Chairman Lee Jeong-gil mentioned in his congratulatory remark, "We were hoping for the COVID-19 to subside during the hot summer weather, but now we are expecting the second outbreak coming this fall."

# The lyrics reflecting the current state of events were written by Lee Man-yoo, put on the basic melody of Menaritori Mungyeong Arari and arranged in a fast and cheerful manner so that students and young people could also enjoy singing it.

(Korean traditional music specialist Ham Soo-ho).

Apart from the Secretary General Park Soon-ja, the song was sung by 10 members of the Arirang City Mungyeong Citizens Committee's choir and Hanguri Gugak Orchestra. It was presented after a 10-day practice.

It is necessary to make the song spread and get known, as well as to add masculine parts to the choir and accompanying instruments. First of all, the song should become viral via YouTube.

Naturally, cooperation with local governments and institutional organizations is required, and in particular, it is necessary to cooperate with education officials such as the Education Office, so that students can start performing it as soon as possible.

 English translation by Dinara Shosaidova