THE musicians hands grew increasingly fast as they struck the chong ju (jang gu), a traditional Korean percussion instrument shaped like an Indonesian kendang. Mi Ran played the conical-shaped drum, which rests on crossbeams and is beaten with both hands. It is known to be the percussion instrument that can best express the emotions of Koreans.

To Mi Rans left was a second instrument, made of cowhide to produce a low-pitched sound. To her right wa