The Spiritual Journey of Song Ga-in's Mother: Song Soon-dan's Path to Becoming a Shaman

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Song Soon-dan, the mother of singer Song Ga-in, recently opened up about her journey to becoming a shaman.

A video titled "The Life and Music of Master Song Soon-dan (National Intangible Cultural Heritage Jindo Ssitgimgut Transmission Educator)" was recently uploaded on the 'Gugak Broadcasting Radio' channel.

In the video, Song Soon-dan recalled, "After my daughter turned one, I started to fall ill."

She continued, "I had headaches, back pain, and couldn't even get up from the floor. I couldn't even drink water." She added that this suffering lasted for three years and she couldn't confide in anyone.

People around her referred to her condition as a 'spiritual illness.' Song Soon-dan said, "People told me I needed to accept the spirit," and recalled being told that she had no choice but to accept it.

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She revealed, "Since my mother was also a shaman, I was told I had to inherit it."

To avoid becoming a shaman, Song Soon-dan visited places like Palgongsan and Gyeryongsan to pray, but her condition did not improve.

Her husband was also opposed to the idea. She explained, "I felt like I was going to die from the pain, so my mother-in-law convinced my husband that it was better than me dying." Eventually, she accepted the spirit.

The societal atmosphere at the time was not favorable. Song Soon-dan shared, "Back then, being a shaman was looked down upon." Despite her husband's opposition, she eventually embraced her path as a shaman.

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Song Soon-dan also shared the challenges she faced after becoming a shaman. She recalled, "In 1991, I entered the Ssitgimgut, but no one taught me. They would just tell me to try something, and when I did, they would belittle me." She felt intimidated by the elders.

However, Song Soon-dan did not give up. "I became determined and sought out teacher Lee Wan-soon to learn Ssitgimgut," she said. Through her relentless efforts, she became recognized as a master in the Jindo Ssitgimgut field.

Previously, Song Soon-dan had revealed on a variety show that after her mother passed away in an accident at 45, she inherited the spiritual path. She shared that she accepted the spirit to prevent her daughter, Song Ga-in, from inheriting it. Song Ga-in started learning folk songs in middle school and began studying pansori at 17, influenced by her mother's encouragement.

Reporter Na-yeon Cho, TenAsia nybluebook@tenasia.co.kr