Therefore, it has been well known over the world as the one representative of the Korean folk songs and symbolic of the Korean nation from long ago.

The song is run through with anguish at parting, bitter feeling of poor life and aspiration for happy life.

And there have existed in Korea a number of its local varieties like Sodo Arirang, Arirang of Hamgyong Province, Arirang of Kangwon Province, Milyang Arirang and Yongchon Arirang.

Today, many art works related with "Arirang" have been created in praise of the Songun (military-first) era and the prosperous DPRK. Among them is the grand gymnastic and artistic performance "Arirang" which was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records in August Juche 96 (2007).