The Dance Moves of 34 Master Dancers Who Penetrate Everything with One Principle

December 12-21, National Gugak Center Iligwanji? Myeongmu
'The Dignity of Our Dance' Performed by 34 Myeongmu Dancers

Thirty-four master dancers will showcase the essence of Korean traditional dance on the stage of the National Gugak Center.

Poster for Iligwanji (September).
[Photo by National Gugak Center]

The National Gugak Center announced on the 10th that it will hold the 'Il-i-gwan-ji? Dance (Master Dancers)' performance six times from the 12th to the 21st at the Pungnyu Sarangbang of the National Gugak Center.

At this performance, audiences can enjoy a variety of dances by the National Gugak Center Dance Company, holders of intangible cultural heritage, and veteran, mid-career, and emerging dancers.

The first stage on the 12th will open with a dance performance by mid-career members of the National Gugak Center Dance Company. The company inherits the tradition of Joseon Dynasty’s Jangakwon, the Gyobangsa during the Korean Empire, and the Royal Music Department’s Jeongjae (court dance). On this stage, they will present the court dance 'Chunaengjeon.' Core folk dance repertoires such as 'Seungmu,' 'Taepyeongmu,' 'Salpuri Dance,' and 'Sanjo Dance' will also be performed.

On the 13th, master dancers who have been designated as holders of intangible cultural heritage dance categories will take the stage. Starting with Kim Jin-hong, holder of Busan City Intangible Cultural Heritage Dongnae Hallyang Dance, performing 'Dongnae Hallyang Dance,' followed by Yang Seong-ok, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Taepyeongmu, performing 'Salpuri Dance,' Yang Gil-soon, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Dosalpurim Dance, performing 'Dosalpurim Dance,' Jo Heung-dong, holder of Seoul City Intangible Cultural Heritage Hallyangmu, performing 'Hallyangmu,' Chae Sang-mook, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Seungmu, performing 'Seungmu,' and Jeong Myung-sook, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Salpuri Dance, performing 'Salpuri Dance.'

On the 14th, six master dancers who have reached an artistic pinnacle will sequentially meet the audience. Starting with Yoo Jeong-sook’s 'Taepyeongmu,' which depicts peace through the queen’s graceful dance, followed by Kim Jeong-hak’s 'Shinno Simbullo,' expressing the feelings of an old person whose heart has not aged despite their appearance, and Jin Yu-rim’s 'Salpuri Dance,' which shows both sorrow and joy in the figure of a woman. You can also enjoy Jeong In-sam’s 'Gokkal Sogo Dance,' Gyeong Im-soon’s 'Gyobang Janggo Dance,' and Park Eun-ha’s 'Soe Dance.'

On the 19th, male master dancers will perform. Yoon Seong-cheol will present 'Hallyangmu,' a representative genre of male solo dance. Nam Ki-seong will perform 'Heoteun Deotbaegi Dance,' a reconstructed dance from the Yeongnam region’s mask dance and Heoteun dance. Kim Jang-woo will stage 'Ipchum,' a dance where the dancer and audience engage in a call-and-response chant. Kang Seong-min will portray the bittersweet life through 'Imaebang-ryu Seungmu.' Park Myung-hyun will perform 'Jindo Bukchum,' a drum dance from Jindo Nongak, originally choreographed by the late master Park Byeong-cheon.

The stage on the 20th will feature mid-career female dancers. No Hae-jin’s 'Aga (Elegant Song)' depicts human parting and longing. Choi Ju-yeon will gradually raise the excitement at a festive gathering through 'Gyobang Gutgeori Dance.' Kim Hye-yoon’s 'Hwangmubong-ryu Sanjo,' inspired by the blossoming cherry blossoms on a spring day, will be performed, along with Choi Jeong-yoon’s 'Maehyangmu Buchae Ipchum,' which evokes the scent of plum blossoms that bloom after enduring harsh cold. Jang Hyun-soo’s 'Hyosimmu Maensonsalpuri,' inspired by the filial piety of Simcheong who fell into Indangsu, will also be presented.

The final stage on the 21st will be performed by emerging dancers who have won awards at major traditional dance competitions in Korea. Lee Min-ji and Kim Si-baek will present 'Han Young-sook-ryu Taepyeongmu' and 'Kang Sun-young-ryu Taepyeongmu,' respectively, showcasing the distinct aesthetic tastes of Han Young-sook and Kang Sun-young. Hwang Ji-mok will portray the monk’s dance in the Honam region style through 'Imaebang-ryu Seungmu.' Jeong Ji-soo will perform 'Chunaengjeon,' a solo court dance that broadens the horizon of court dances, and Lee Seung-chan will present 'Hallyangmu,' which has achieved the individualization of male solo dance. Choi Woo-min will conclude the final stage with 'Beokku Dance,' which compiles the characteristics of drum performances from the coastal areas of Jeollanam-do.

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