National Namdo Gugak Center, Seoul Gyeonggi Dance Research Association 'Myeongga Wolryun' Invitation Performance

Published 06 Nov.2023 14:11(KST)

Remembering Our Dance Heritage Through Genealogy

The National Namdo Gugak Center announced on the 6th that it will hold a special performance by the Seoul-Gyeonggi Dance Research Association ‘Myeongga Wolryun’ at 3 p.m. on the 11th in the Grand Theater Jinakdang (Jindo, Jeollanam-do).

The Seoul-Gyeonggi Dance Research Association is an artistic organization formed to inherit traditional dances derived and developed in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions. It currently aims to research and revitalize items designated as intangible cultural heritage.

In particular, it is an organization with the grand goal of passing on traditional dance to young artists and conveying its value so that it continues to the next generation.

On the 11th at 3 PM, an invited performance by the Seoul Gyeonggi Dance Research Association 'Myeongga Wolryun' will be held at the Grand Theater Jinakdang (Jindo, Jeonnam).
[Photo by National Namdo Gugak Center]

This performance, titled ‘Myeongga Wolryun,’ presents memorable Korean dances through the lineage of Myeongga Kang Sun-young (1925?2016), who succeeded Han Seong-jun (1874?1942), a pioneer of traditional dance centered in the Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, and Wolryun Jo Heung-dong (1941?present).

Starting with ‘Seungmu,’ recalled by Kang Sun-young as “a dance etched into every cell through countless practices, unforgettable even if one tries,” the performance features ‘improvisational dance’ free from specific music or style constraints; ‘Hallyangmu,’ also known as ‘Seonbi dance’ or ‘Shinseon dance’; ‘Gyeonggi Geommu,’ designated as a Gyeonggi-do intangible cultural heritage, performed alongside Jeokbyeokga; ‘Jinswe dance,’ danced while holding a kkwaenggwari in rhythm with the Gyeonggi Dodanggut Teobeolrim jangdan; and the national intangible cultural heritage ‘Taepyeongmu.’

Following this, ‘Wonwangsaeng－巫’ is a stage of Korea’s unique ‘han’ and ‘shinmyeong’ imbued with human joys and sorrows, reconstructed in 2022 through the songs of the living, sounds of wishes, and gestures of wishes. It is based on the dance drama ‘Yeoldumunyeodo’ choreographed by Kang Sun-young in 1963 at the National Dance Company, the ‘Bara dance’ presented in 2000’s ‘Reproduction of Han Seong-jun’s Dance,’ and the ‘Mudang dance’ continuously performed by the Kang Sun-young Dance Company.

The performance is free of charge, and free shuttle buses will be provided before and after the performance between Jindo town and the Gugak Center. Additionally, a performance stamp coupon event will be held until December for audiences visiting the venue, offering small souvenirs to participants.