rightsethicsmusic

Using Traditional Songs (Like Arirang) in Your Videos: Cultural Respect and Legal Basics

UUnknown

2026-03-04

9 min read

How to use traditional songs like Arirang in clips — legal checks, attribution, and ethical storytelling for creators in 2026.

Stop guessing — your clip can spark growth or a copyright nightmare

As a creator in 2026 you need speed: clip the live moment, add an evocative soundtrack, and publish. But when that soundtrack is a traditional song like Arirang, you face two parallel responsibilities: 1) legal clearance, and 2) cultural respect. Get either wrong and you lose views, revenue, and trust. Get both right and you unlock authenticity, discoverability, and deeper audience connections.

The 2026 landscape: why this matters now

Two trends in late 2025–early 2026 changed the game for creators:

Major publishers and administration houses (for example, Kobalt’s expanded global partnerships announced in 2026) made cross-border publishing licensing faster and more accessible — but they also increased the visibility of previously local catalogs. That means a traditional melody may now have a modern arrangement represented by a publisher.
Platforms accelerated short-form monetization and licensing deals — but those deals rarely cover third-party sync beyond built-in music libraries. You’re still on the hook for rights when you upload original edits or use a recorded performance in your clip.

Why traditional songs like Arirang deserve more than a soundtrack slot

Arirang is not just a tune. It’s a cultural touchstone: a centuries-old Korean folk song that has many regional variants, deep emotional connotations across the Korean peninsula, and is part of Korea’s intangible cultural heritage (its inclusion in UNESCO’s Representative List is often cited). That means using it in a clip carries historical and communal weight — and creators should treat it as storytelling material, not just background music.

“Traditional music can amplify your narrative — but it can also amplify harm if used without context or consent.”

Quick primer: composition vs. recording vs. rights you need

Before you pick a clip or press publish, know what you’re licensing.

Composition (publishing) — the melody and lyrics. Even if a song is a folk tune, a modern arrangement or added lyrics may be copyrighted and represented by a publisher. You need a sync license to pair the composition with visuals.
Master recording — the specific recorded performance (an MP3, WAV, or streaming file). If you use an existing recording, you need a master use license from the recording owner (usually a label or the artist).
Performance rights — public performance or streaming is often covered by blanket licenses between platforms and collecting societies, but that doesn’t replace the need for a sync + master license when you control the visual content.
Public domain — some traditional melodies are free to use, but arrangements and recordings typically are not. Public domain status is jurisdiction-specific — a song public domain in one country might still be protected elsewhere.

Step-by-step: How to lawfully use a traditional song in a short clip (practical workflow)

Identify the exact element you want to use. Is it the melody, a specific recording, or a modern arrangement? Save the timestamp(s) and a screenshot for your records.
Research public-domain status. Check the composition’s age, the country of origin, and whether the specific arrangement is copyrighted. Use authoritative sources: national libraries, UNESCO, or music rights organizations.
Find rights holders. For compositions, search composers/publishers via databases like BMI/ASCAP/PRS (Western) or KOMCA (Korea). For masters, check label credits or the artist’s distributor.
Decide the license path. Options include: (a) use a public-domain source or field recording cleared for reuse, (b) license the composition + master, (c) commission a new, original arrangement and recording, or (d) use a platform-licensed track from YouTube/TikTok libraries (read platform limits).
Obtain written permissions. Get a sync license for the composition and a master use license if using an existing recording. Save contracts, invoices, and any email approvals.
Attribute and contextualize. Include credit lines on the video and in the description and provide context — why the song matters to your content.
Document monetization terms. Agree on revenue splits or usage fees up front if licensing directly from artists or estates.

When can you rely on public domain? Practical checks

“Traditional” doesn’t automatically mean public domain.

Confirm the composition’s origin date. Folk melodies without a traceable author are often public domain, but newly arranged variants are not.
Check whether the specific arrangement or transcription is copyrighted. Modern arrangements, harmonizations, or added lyrics are often protected.
Master recordings are almost always copyrighted, even if the composition is public domain. So a recent studio recording of Arirang will require a master license.
When in doubt, treat it as copyrighted and seek a license — it’s the fastest way to avoid takedowns or monetization claims.

Attribution — what to include and why it matters

Attribution is not a legal substitute for licensing, but it’s crucial for ethics and community trust. Always include:

Song title and variant (for Arirang, name the regional version if known)
Composer/arranger (if applicable)
Recording artist and label (if using a specific master)
Source or archive (e.g., “National Gugak Center field recording, 1978”)

Example credit line: “Arirang (Jeongseon version) — traditional Korean folk song; arrangement by [Name]; recorded by [Artist], used with permission.”

Ethical storytelling: respect beyond the legal box

Legal clearance is the minimum. Ethical use asks: does my usage honor the song’s origins and the people who keep it alive?

Contextualize. Don’t use Arirang as a generic “exotic” backdrop. Explain why you chose it and what it means to the story.
Consult local communities. If your clip engages specific communities or rituals, reach out to cultural institutions, local artists, or community elders for guidance and permission.
Share value. When possible, route licensing fees, tips, or donations to musicians, cultural centers, or preservation projects.
Credit traditions. Identify the variant, dialect, or regional origin rather than lumping everything under a single label.

Practical templates: permission email and credit clause

Sample outreach email

Subject: Request to license recording of Arirang for short video clip

Hello [Name/Organization],

I’m [Your Name], a content creator with [platform/followers]. I’m producing a short clip (30–60s) for [platform] about [topic]. I’d like to use [title/version] of Arirang at [timestamps]. The clip will be monetized and may be distributed across platforms.

Could you confirm: (1) who holds the composition and master rights, (2) licensing fees, and (3) required credit text? I’m happy to provide additional details and to sign a sync/master license agreement.

Thanks — I’d love to ensure this is respectful and properly credited.

[Your name & contact]

Sample credit clause

“Music: Arirang (Jeongseon version) — traditional Korean folk song. Arrangement and recording used by permission from [Rights Holder].”

Monetization & platform realities in 2026

Short-form platforms have matured: many have licensed catalogs you can use within their in-app editors without separate syncs, but those licenses usually don’t extend to uses outside the platform (downloaded clips, embeds on other sites, or commercial brand partnerships). Key points:

YouTube. Content ID can claim revenue on your video if you use copyrighted recordings. Even if the publisher has a policy to share ad revenue, you may lose control over monetization.
TikTok/Instagram/Reels. Their music libraries cover in-app use; exporting and embedding can nullify those protections.
Live clips and VOD edits. If you clip a live stream and pair it with a recording of Arirang, you need a sync + master license unless you created the recording yourself or used a public-domain source.

Case study: a creator’s safe path using Arirang

Scenario: You’re producing a 45-second travel clip shot in Busan and want a haunting Arirang melody under your montage.

You pick a public-domain sheet-melody (verify via National Library of Korea).
You commission a local gayageum player for a fresh recording and sign a work-for-hire + master transfer so you control the master.
You get a written statement from the musician about arrangement authorship and include a credit and a link to a fundraiser for a local cultural center.
The clip goes live; you list the credits, a short note explaining the variant, and a time-stamped citation. Engagements increase because your audience values authenticity and the musician gets exposure and a fee.

When to consult a lawyer or publisher

If any of the following are true, get legal help:

High-budget projects or brand partnerships
Complex ownership (multiple claimants, cross-border rights)
Historical recordings or archives with unclear licenses
Disputes or Content ID claims that threaten takedowns or revenue loss

Checklist: Quick rights & respect audit (use before you publish)

Identify exact recording/version and save timestamps
Confirm composition public-domain status or locate publisher
Secure sync license (composition) if needed
Secure master use license if using an existing recording
Document permissions in writing and store contracts
Prepare clear on-screen and description credits
Provide cultural context in copy or voiceover
Offer fair compensation or attribution to performers
Check platform-specific rules for in-app music vs. uploaded masters

Final tips: smart shortcuts and ethical hacks

Commission local musicians. Hiring an artist to create an original recording gives you clear master rights and builds community goodwill.
Use high-quality public-domain sources. National archives often have field recordings with explicit reuse terms.
Leverage platform libraries for drafts. Test audience reaction with licensed in-app tracks, then secure standalone licensing for final cuts.
Be transparent. A short caption that names the song version and thanks the culture goes a long way.

Why creators who do this well win in 2026

Audiences crave authenticity. When creators pair a meaningful, accurately credited traditional song with clear permissions and ethical storytelling, they get three wins: deeper engagement, safer monetization, and long-term trust. As publishers globalize catalogs and platforms iterate their deals, creators who build rights-aware workflows will move faster and scale wider.

Resources & next steps

Check national rights bodies (e.g., KOMCA for Korea) and UNESCO entries for cultural context.
Search publisher databases (ASCAP/BMI/PRS/KOMCA) for composition claims.
Contact local cultural institutions (National Gugak Center, Korean Cultural Center) when using songs like Arirang.
Consider commissioning a new arrangement and master to simplify rights and support artists directly.

Call to action

Want a ready-to-use checklist and two permission email templates for licensing traditional songs? Download our free Rights & Respect checklist and join a live workshop where creators and rights managers will walk through real-life Arirang licensing scenarios. Protect your clips, honor the source, and grow your audience the right way.

Unknown

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.