Seoul cool
By Emily Lek
Publisher:The Straits Times - Publication Date: 13-09-2007

You have heard of China's popular Twelve Girls Band, a group of women who play traditional Chinese and Western songs on Chinese musical instruments.
Now meet Dasrum, the Korean version.
The 10-member group, which play traditional Korean instruments, will hold their first concert in Singapore Friday night (Sept 14).
Titled Sympathy, to reflect the fact that Korea and Singapore share similar mindsets as Asian countries, the 90-minute show will be held at the Victoria Concert Hall.
It is part of South Korea's efforts at cultural diplomacy. Since 2003, it has been sending Korean cultural groups to perform in countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America.
Jaeson Sik, special assistant for public and cultural affairs of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea here, said: "Besides bringing about cultural benefits for both countries, such exchanges also help to improve bilateral relations."
Dasrum will be playing a repertoire of Korean folk and modern music, using instruments like the piri, a bamboo oboe; and the daegeum, a bamboo flute.
More than a few pieces will be familiar to Singapore listeners. Among them are Perhaps Love, the ending theme song from the hit Korean drama Princess Hours; and Tian Mi Mi, a classic by the late Teresa Teng. The band will also play Stefanie Sun and Tanya Chua's Mandopop duet, Basic Point, as an encore piece.
Dasrum was formed in 1990, preceding the Twelve Girls Band by 11 years. It started out with eight members who wanted to give traditional music a modern interpretation.
All 10 current members, who are between 23 and 39 years old, majored in music in university.
Musical muscle aside, the all-woman group also attracts lots of attention from members of the opposite sex.
Keyboardist Shin Won Moon, 38, the only member who plays a Western instrument in the band, said: "We even have a very enthusiastic male fan who leaves messages on our homepage declaring his love for us."
She adds that a few of the girls, especially the younger ones, do receive "a little more attention than the rest".
So does this lead to jealousy and catfights?
"No, not at all. We are a very peaceful group," she said with a laugh. "The younger members are very polite and adorable."

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Chinese 12 girl band is playing In NYC this Oct or Nov. I hope to get tickets.

I would also love to see the Korean girls band. I love gayaguem music.