Jamjari Kkongkkong
Korean Dragonfly Song
Before tablets, PCs, and smartphones were introduced in Korea, children played with games that are related to the nature around them, such as flowers, trees, pebbles, animals, and insects. There are numerous Korean traditional folk songs based on nature, and Jamjari kkongkkong (잠자리 꽁꽁) is one such example for kids.
Jamjari (잠자리) means “dragonfly” and kkongkkong (꽁꽁) is an expression that represents “to freeze/stop in place.” Children used to sing the song, Jamjari kkongkkong (잠자리 꽁꽁) while chasing dragonflies, in hopes that a dragonfly will freeze in place so they can catch it.
Korean folk songs are written primarily with three to five tones; do, re, mi, so, and la. Jamjari kkongkkong is written with four tones: mi, so, la, and do’, with solfege “la” (note A) as the tonal center. There are multiple variations of the song throughout different regions in Korea, although this version is the most common by far.
Different colors of dragonflies including red, green, black, and yellow can easily be found in Korea throughout late Summer and Fall. Teachers may introduce the different colors of dragonflies through the drum ostinato pattern.
Translation & Pronunciation:
잠자리 꽁꽁 jamjari kkongkkong Dragonfly freeze
꼼자리 꽁꽁 kkomjari* kkongkkong Dragonfly freeze
이리와라 꽁꽁 iriwara kkongkkong Fly here kkongkkong
저리가라 꽁꽁 jeorigara kkongkkong Fly away kkongkkong
*kkomjari is mixture of jamjari and kkongkkong; the first syllable of jamjari is changed to create a rhyme.
| a | father | i | see |
| o | go | eo | dog |
Click here to view videos of both pronunciation and song.
Procedures:
- Teacher sings the song with motions.
- Teach the motions (Students imitate motions and listen to the Korean lyrics multiple times).
- Jamjari kkongkkong – flying motion and freeze (in place).
- kkomjari kkongkkong – repeat above.
- iriwara kkongkkong – two steps forward and freeze.
- jeorigara kkongkkong – two steps back and freeze.
- Jamjari kkongkkong – flying motion and freeze (in place).
- Teach the song, phrase by phrase.
- Speak “kkong kkong dra-gon-fly” (patting hands on the laps) and transfer to alto xylophone (note A and E).
- Introduce the different colors of dragonfly through the drum part. Have students speak “Red, green, black and yel-low” (clapping the rhythms) and transfer to drum.
- Divide class into three groups; one group for alto xylophone, another group for drum, and the other group for singing and motions.
- Perform the entire piece as an ensemble.
- Alto xylophone starts with 8 beat intro and then drum comes in (8 beat ostinato).
- Sing the song two times with motions.
Click here to download a pdf of this lesson.
15 Responses
Would love to see a video of this performed.
This looks like a great, authentic piece for my students! Thank you for posting! I am curious about the pronunciation of the double K in “kkongkkong”. Is it simply a /k/ sound, or is there more to it? Thank you!
Thank you so much for your comment!
“kk” (ㄲ) is a double consonant – it is pronounced the same as the regular “k” sound, but harder and more enunciated. I’ll try to upload the video of the pronunciation of the lyrics soon!
https://www.alohamele.org/korean/korean-dragonfly/
Can’t wait to try this. Thank you.
Betty P here! I wondered the same thing as Becky H.
My google search lead me to; https://www.90daykorean.com/korean-double-consonants/
Double consonants are emphasized–maybe like they are in Italian?
Do you think you could post a recording?
Here’s the link to the videos of the pronunciation and song. Hope this helps.
https://www.alohamele.org/korean/korean-dragonfly/
From what I know about Korean pronunciation, the double consonant of the KK is produced at the back of the mouth almost near the throat, whereas the Italian double consonant “cc” is produced with the middle/front of the tongue. Does that sound right? I am loving this song and so are my students! My husband is half Korean and he fondly remembers singing it as a child. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for your comment.
Yes. The double consonant of the KK (ㄲ) is produced near the throat. Here’s the link to the video of the pronunciation of the lyrics. Hope this helps!
https://www.alohamele.org/korean/korean-dragonfly/
Love this! I am a flute teacher… in addition to these notes being very suitable for early players, I also have a number of Korean students. I can’t wait to incorporate this song in our repertoire. Many thanks!
This lesson is fantastic! I am using this song with my 3rd graders next week. Just a heads up that the link you shared for the pronunciation and video takes us to the wrong place… I think this is the link you mean!
https://www.alohamele.org/korean/korean-dragonfly-1/
Thank you for this wonderful song and lesson!
Hi Madison! We are delighted that you found this lesson of value. Thank you for alerting us to the outdated link. As you can see by clicking in the author’s comments above, the original korean-dragonfly link now points to another location. We have updated the link in our post. We appreciate you! – Your friends at Teaching With Orff
It is much closer to G than to K. You are correct that it happens in the back of the throat but is very slightly voiced.
This looks fantastic! What are your thoughts on recorder? Would this be a good one for playing on soprano recorder?