"Aegukga" (Korean: 애국가; Hanja: 愛國歌), often translated as "The Patriotic Song", is the national anthem of South Korea.

The lyrics of "Aegukga" were originally set to the music of the Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" before Ahn Eak-tai composed a unique melody specifically for it in 1936.

The version set to the melody composed by Ahn Eak-tai was adopted as the national anthem of the Korean exile government, which existed during Korea's occupation by Japan from the early 1910s to the mid-1940s.

"Aegukga" has four verses, but on most occasions only the first one, followed by the chorus, is sung when performed publicly at events such as baseball games and soccer matches.

[5] There are theories that the lyrics were written by Yoon Chi-ho, Ahn Chang-ho, or Min Young-hwan, but none of these have been officially confirmed.

After the Gabo Reform of 1894 and the establishment of the Independence association in 1896, many anthems to inspire patriotism were written in the private sector, numbering about ten.

[7] After the proclamation of the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong felt the need for a national anthem as a state symbol and announced the establishment of a military band by law in December 1900.

[7] In 2018, music director, Park In-young, recomposed Aegukga, and added brass and woodwind instruments to the arrangement.

She said, “while trying not to change Ahn’s original version, we gave it a more modern spin.”[8] All sporting events such as pro baseball games start with the song.

Two South Korean professional football clubs were sued by a copyright holders' group for playing this song in December 2003.

2절: 남산 위에 저 소나무 철갑을 두른 듯 바람서리 불변함은 우리 기상일세.

2-chŏl: Namsan wie chŏ sonamu ch'ŏlgabŭl turŭn tŭt Paramsŏri pulbyŏnhamŭn uri kisangilse.

2-jeol: Namsan wie jeo sonamu cheolgabeul dureun deut Baram seori bulbyeonhameun uri gisang-ilse.

Refrain: Rose of Sharon, thousand miles of range and river land; Korean being itself, ever may Korea stand.

3rd verse Autumn's, arching evening sky is clear without any clouds; Our hearts are the radiant moon, becoming single and honest.