Traditional Korean Dance

Traditional Korean Dance
Heoak Lee
“Imperial Jewel”
Traditional Korean Dance Group

Traditional Korean Dance originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands of years ago  benefited from regular support of:
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royal court numerous academies an official ministry of the government

Traditional Korean Dance in the Occupied Korea (1910-1945)
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Due to cultural suppression by Japan during the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula (1910-1945), most dance academies died out and some dances were lost. A few pioneering Korean dancers such as Choi Seung-hee (최승희 崔承喜 1911-1969) created new forms of Korean dance based on traditional dances and kept many of the traditions alive in secret.

Traditional Korean Dance Today
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Traditional Korean dance is enjoying a vibrant resurgence. Numerous universities in Korea teach Korean traditional dance. Some universities abroad now provide instruction in the forms. Top dancers are recognized as "Living National Treasures" and are charged to pass their dances down to their students. The lineages of dance and dancers are now traceable back several generations.

Current Styles of Dance in Korea (1)
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In modern Korea, there are at least six different kinds of dance:
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Court, Folk, Shamanistic, Confucian, Buddhist, Modern concert dance

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Today, these classifications usually refer to the style of dance rather than the occupation, class, or religion of the dancers. National dance academies teach these forms.

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Current Styles of Dance in Korea (2)
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Dances and dance styles formerly restricted to royal audiences (the court) have become Korean classical dances. They are performed regularly in public concerts.
In conversation, Koreans classify their dances into four types: court, folk, sacred, and modern concert dance.

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Movements of Traditional Korean Dance
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Many uniquely Korean gestures and body movements characterize all traditional Korean dances.