‘Sidaeui Pungnyugaek’ Late-Blooming Dancer’s Traditional Dance

Korean Dancer Kim Hodong to Perform on Stage of National Theater's 'Inyeon4: Hwanguibonhyangmu' on the 30th
Will Showcase Genuine Dance Moves with Veteran Dancers Jeong Myeongsuk and Lee Yunseok

Korean dancer Kim Hodong. Photo by Korean Traditional Dance Culture Arts Research Institute

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Korean dancer Kim Hodong, recognized as a late-blooming dancer and a true connoisseur of elegance, will showcase his unique and stylish dance moves in a performance. The Korean Traditional Dance Culture Arts Institute announced on the 26th that the 2022 regular performance "Kim Hodong's Inyeon 4: Hwangwibohyangmu" will be held on the 30th at the Daloreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea.

While most dancers begin training from preschool age or at the latest in early adolescence, he entered the dance world at the age of 28, after graduating from university late. After graduating from high school and working in society, he aspired to direct theater and enrolled at Cheongju University, where he spent four years closely studying under playwright Professor Cha Beomseok, honing his artistic sensibilities across various fields.

Around the time of his university graduation, captivated by dance, he dreamed of performing on stage himself. Under the guidance of Kang Sunyoung, the holder of the intangible cultural asset Taepyeongmu, he devoted himself solely to dance practice, sacrificing sleep. After joining the Seoul Arts Troupe, he passed the National Dance Company’s audition. This was a miraculous achievement by Kim Hodong, a 32-year-old latecomer in his fourth year of dance training.

This performance was prepared to reaffirm the commitment to faithfully preserve traditional dance in order to contribute to its inheritance, development, and dissemination. Kim Hodong, who entered the dance world late and gained fame as a late-blooming dancer after joining the National Dance Company, has fully demonstrated his capabilities as a dancer.

Kim Ho-dong performing Hallyangmu. Photo by Kim Ho-dong, Uri Dance Research Institute

Having studied under masters Cha Beomseok, Imaebang, Kang Sunyoung, Song Beom, and Choi Hyun, he honed his skills as a dancer. Driven by a late thirst for learning, he earned three master's degrees in dance education, performing arts, and arts management from Dongguk University Graduate School of Arts, Chung-Ang University Graduate School of Education, and Kyung Hee University Graduate School of Business, respectively. Continuing his studies, he completed a doctoral program specializing in North Korean performing arts at Gyeongnam University Graduate School of North Korean Studies. He later served as president of the Woobong Imaebang Dance Preservation Society and currently serves as director of the Korean Traditional Dance Culture Arts Institute and professor at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Traditional Performing Arts Promotion Foundation, actively contributing to the Korean dance community as an “active” figure.

Known for his restrained yet dynamic movements embodying the elegance of a male dancer through performances of Seungmu, Hallyangmu, and Heoteunsalpurichum, he will present the true dance style of Korean dance to the audience alongside Korea’s leading veteran dancers such as Jeong Myeongsuk (holder of the intangible cultural asset Salpurichum), Lee Yunseok (holder of intangible cultural asset No. 7 Goseong Ogwangdae), Yang Seongok (holder of intangible cultural asset Taepyeongmu), and Lee Jeonghee (holder of Gyeonggi-do intangible cultural asset Gyeonggi-do Danggut Sinawi Dance). The performance will take place at 5 p.m. on the 30th at the Daloreum Theater, National Theater of Korea, Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.