The Aesthetics of Court Dance Revived in Changgeuk: Crown Prince Hyomyeong and His Dream of Yeak Politics

National Changgeuk Company to Premiere New Work "Hyomyeong" on June 23
Portraying Crown Prince Hyomyeong’s Vision, Who Created 23 Court Dances

In the lunar month of June 1828, a lavish banquet was held at Yeongyeongdang in Changdeokgung Palace to celebrate the 40th birthday of Queen Sunwon, wife of King Sunjo, the 23rd monarch of Joseon. This event was meticulously arranged by Crown Prince Hyomyeong, who was then serving as regent on behalf of his ailing father, King Sunjo.

Crown Prince Hyomyeong aspired to restore order to a Joseon thrown into turmoil by establishing discipline through "ye" (ritual propriety) and fostering communication through "ak" (music), a vision known as "yeak politics." He personally created or reorganized several royal court dances (gugung jeongjae), which were performed at royal banquets or state ceremonies. In particular, the "Chunaengmu," now considered an iconic court dance, was first unveiled at this banquet. Inspired by the sight of a nightingale singing atop a willow branch in spring, Crown Prince Hyomyeong created this piece, which debuted on that very day.

The National Changgeuk Company will stage a new changgeuk production titled "Hyomyeong," centered on the crown prince who loved dance and dreamed of yeak politics, at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater from June 23 to 28.

Eunseon Yoo, Artistic Director and Head of the National Changgeuk Company, explained at a round interview held at the National Theater on the 19th, "Our court dances are not about extravagance, but rather embody the aesthetics of restraint," adding, "I wanted to showcase the charm of court dance by incorporating it into changgeuk, the most vibrant genre among traditional arts." Director Yoo also stated, "Of the 53 types of court dances that have been passed down to the present, 23 were created by Crown Prince Hyomyeong," and added, "Chunaengmu is known as the first solo dance in Korean history."

Eunseon Yoo, Artistic Director and Head of the National Changgeuk Company (center), is explaining the background of the new work "Hyomyeong" during a round interview held at the National Theater on the 19th. Writer Manhee Lee (left) and director Jimin Lim. Photo by Yonhap News

King Sunjo, the father of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and son of King Jeongjo, ascended the throne in 1790 at the age of 10 and reigned for 34 years. However, during Sunjo's reign, the rise of powerful aristocratic clans led to a weakening of royal authority and threw Joseon society into considerable upheaval. Seizing the occasion of his mother's 40th birthday banquet, Crown Prince Hyomyeong sought to revitalize royal banquets and court dances to restore the dignity of the royal family. He is regarded as a key figure in the development of court arts in the late Joseon period.

Choreographer Jaeduck Kim commented, "I knew of Crown Prince Hyomyeong, but I never realized he was such a remarkable figure," adding, "I came to believe that it was he who truly established the Joseon style of royal court dance."

To authentically portray the court dances envisioned by Hyomyeong, this production features 16 dancers from "Modern Table," a contemporary dance group led by choreographer Jaeduck Kim. He explained, "We learned and practiced various court dances such as Cheopseungmu, Gongmakmu, Gainjeonmokdan, Chunaengmu, and Geomgimu," adding, "Rather than striving for exact reproduction, we aim to blend these dances naturally into the fabric of the work."

Among these, Gongmakmu emerges as a central motif in the production. In the play, it is the final dance that Hyomyeong personally performs to conclude his mother's birthday celebration. The character Hyomyeong performs the duet Gongmakmu with Myomyo, a fictional woman created for dramatic tension. Myomyo is an assassin who conspires with powerful aristocrats and plots to take Hyomyeong’s life.

In history, Crown Prince Hyomyeong died young at the age of 21 without ever ascending the throne, and the exact cause of his death remains unknown. The plot device of an assassin in the production becomes all the more intriguing in light of the sudden demise of a youthful reformer on the cusp of power.

Members of the National Changgeuk Company, Soo In Kim (left), who plays the role of Hyomyeong in the new production "Hyomyeong," and Woo Jung Kim, who plays the role of Myomyo, are demonstrating a gongmakmu scene. National Changgeuk Company

Director Jimin Lim remarked, "While reading books about Crown Prince Hyomyeong, two things especially struck me: first, his qualities as a choreographer who created court dances, and second, the fact that he died only three years after assuming the regency in an era dominated by powerful aristocratic clans."

However, Myomyo is portrayed as a character who gradually becomes influenced by Hyomyeong. Director Lim said she focused on Hyomyeong’s dual identity as both a political figure and an artist.

She said, "The fact that Crown Prince Hyomyeong created court dances himself suggests he had definite artistic potential," adding, "I want to show on stage what his court dances meant—how he sought to strike a balance with the aristocracy through art in the face of much opposition."

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