The Sovereignty of Ethnic Songs: A Comparative Study of Korean and Chinese National Independence Music Through the Works of Han Hyungseok and Xian Xinghai

This study conducts a comparative analysis of national independence music through the works of Korean composer Han HyungSeok and Chinese composer Xian Xinghai, examining their stylistic approaches within early 20th-century anti-colonial contexts. Both nations leveraged musical expression as cultural resistance against Japanese domination during this turbulent historical period. Han’s compositions strategically adapted Korean traditional music through pentatonic melodies and accessible structures, aligning with grassroots mobilization needs. Conversely, Xian synthesized Western compositional techniques with multi-ethnic Chinese musical idioms, creating grand choral works that sonically embodied mass participation ideologies. Analytical comparisons reveal Han’s intentional preservation of Korean musical authenticity versus Xian’s cosmopolitan synthesis. While both composers utilized folk elements, their technical implementations diverged significantly: Han prioritized melodic memorability for communal singing, whereas Xian developed sophisticated harmonic textures supporting narrative grandeur. These stylistic divergences reflect contrasting cultural strategies: Han’s functional approach served immediate independence movement objectives, while Xian’s monumental soundscapes constructed symbolic representations of collective resistance. Findings illuminate the “common origins, divergent expressions” paradigm in regional anti-imperialist sound cultures. Comparing Chinese and Korean anti-Japanese war songs provides models for preserving musical heritage and fills key gaps in East Asian music history.