Choreographer Choi Ji-seon's 5th Dance Story 'Then and Today' Dance Performance Opens

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] The fifth dance story of Choi Jiseon, a mid-career dancer affiliated with the Gwangju City Changgeuk Troupe, unfolds.

Dancer Choi (adjunct professor in the Department of Korean Traditional Music at Chonnam National University) will present a performance titled "Then and Today" on the 20th at the Gwangju Buk-gu Cultural Center Performance Hall.

It ignites the spirit of art with the meaning of recalling the beginner's mind of mid-career dancers who first encounter their master's teachings.

This performance marks the fifth installment following Choi's premieres: "Flames Shot Toward the Sun," "Choi Jiseon's ChumChuda," "Praying for Peace Between Stepping and Rising," and "Asking the Way of Dance."

The stage is composed of eight performance programs.

First, "New Wedding Ceremony - Where Do We Come From and Where Are We Going?" opens the curtain with a creative cleansing ritual featuring Master Kim Ilhwan's Jijeonmu and his disciples.

It continues with "Namdo Salpuri Dance" by the late Song Junyoung (Professor Emeritus at Chosun University), a master of domestic Hunryeongmu and Honam dance, "Seungmu" of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Imaebang style, "Taepyeongmu" of the Kang Sunyoung style, "Hallyangmu" of the Shin Gwancheol style, and "Sogo Dance" of the Chae Hyangsoon style.

The audience is led into a feast of dance and the emotional climax is reached with "New Dancing Drum," featuring special choreography by Professor Emeritus Chae Hyangsoon of Chung-Ang University.

Dancer Choi said, "If it were not for the great teachings and footprints of my masters until now, there would be no past, present, or future of Korean dance, nor would I exist."

In particular, he shared his thoughts on the performance, saying, "This performance contains the 2017 memorial tribute performance 'I Lived My Life Through Dance' participated by disciples for the late Master Song Junyoung, the endless lament for the 48 scenic spots of Soswaewon, and all the dance moves given to me in the future stem from the heartfelt words left six years ago: 'Dance whenever you want to dance.'"

Dancer Choi was born in Gokseong, Jeonnam, joined the Gwangju City Changgeuk Troupe in 1996, and is a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage and regional intangible cultural heritage for Taepyeongmu and Salpuri dance.

He teaches dance juniors at Gwangju Women's University and Gwangju National University of Education and is also active as an adjunct professor in the Department of Korean Traditional Music at Chonnam National University.

While dedicating himself to nurturing future talents, he is also actively engaged in creative activities as a representative mid-career dancer of the region.

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bless4ya@asiae.co.kr

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