ACM: Korean Folk Performances

Visitors of ACM can discover the unique and rich art through folk performances. Some of these traditional dances were designated as Korea's important intangible cultural assets.

In general, there are two types of folk dance in Korea: 'Shamanic' and 'Court' dances. Shamanic folk dances that were created and performed in the villages during festivals and religious holidays. Korean court dances is called 'Jae' (정재) which mean to display talent including dance and other performing arts. Jeongjae were used to perform for the royal family, court officials, and foreign envoys or for festive occasions.

 Korean Traditional Performances.

 

People rushed to the foyer once they heard the performance going to start soon. Although I rushed there, but people foyer were already crowded. Most of the people were standing because the seats were limited. The crowd was almost blocked the walking way to gallery.

 

 A troupe of male performers (Namsadang) entering with traditional music instruments.

Namsadangnori (남사당놀이) usually is like a circus. It's usually included six distinct performance: Pungmulnori (풍물놀이), Beona nori (버나놀이), salpan (살판), eoreum (어름), deotboegi (덧뵈기), and deolmi (덜미) involving various activities such as music, acrobatics, stunt, play, and dance. 

Samul reflects the number of four (사물 = Samul) percussion instruments  used for the performance. It said to be derived from four instruments in Korean Buddist Temple called 'Un-u-pung-roe (雲雨風雷)' which combining the sound between heaven and earth:

1. Barrel Drum (북 = Buk) resembling to blowing cloud.

2. Hourglass drum (장구 = Janggu) resonating the rain.

3. Large Gong (징 = Jing) echoing the wind.

4. Small Gong (꽹과리 = Ggwaenggwari) producing thundery sound.

If you noticed in the video, a man wearing white hanbok standing at the right corner blowing something like small trumpet. It's called Taepyeongso / Hojeok (태평소 / 호적) which is occasionally used as additional instrument.

The moment strong traditional music mixturing these four instruments started to play,
I somehow feel like being teleported back to the old Joseon Dynasty...

Sajamu (사자무 ) Lion Dance 

"Hey, is that lion?!" My daughter asked because it's our first time encountering Korean Lion dance. We watched so many time of Chinese Lion Dances, which is usually performed during Lunar New Year, but the lion appearance was cute and funny unlike those Chinese lions.

 Liar Lion acted as camel and snake.

This masked lion was a humourous performance especially when the lion suddenly has 2 humps popped up and walked around. Arabic music was played  to matched the performance. After that this liar lion turned to a long snake and started to slithering around and sticking out his red tounge and ended. The performance ended with the lion shaking hands with audiences with his 'snake' tongue ;P

Pungmulnori (풍물놀이) Spinning Hat Performance.

Pungmulnori was one of the oldest folk performance in Korea which originally played to wish for a good harvest. Deeply rooted from farming lifestyle and culture therefore it's known as farmer's music (nong'ak/농악). 

It's a great source of entertainment for the farmers to enjoy farming, gathering and sharing the joy and grief together. Feel the farmers' spirit through the unique and creative art of drumming and dancing. 

The terms samulnori and pungmul are often used interchangeably. Samulnori is sitting style (앉은반 = anjuban) and more emphasis on the music from four percussion while Pungmulnori is  standing style (선반 = seonban) involving music, dance and acrobatics.

Donned in traditional clothing with cloth ribbons. The bright color of ribbons representing Sky (blue), Earth (red) and Human (yellow).  Hats are another component of the costumes: Sangmo is a black round hat, which was army helmet during Goguryeo dynasty. A flowery pointed white hat ggoggal (풍물 꼬깔) is the most common head-dress, originated from hats worn by Buddhist monks.

Some advanced performers wear sangmo attached with long ribbon. The long riboon will flow in the air and draw patterns whenever the performers spinning and flipping their heads.

Bupochum (부포춤) Hat Performance.

There's another hat that looks like a flower called Bupochum. Kinda interesting and fun hat to wear because the white feathers will created different flower blooming illusions such as sunflower, lotus, daisy and so on when the performer move his head up, down, forward, backward or bending their knees. It's so amazing yo~!

  

 

Beonanori (버나놀이 ) Spinning Dish Dance.

Beona refers to a circular disc-shaped object made of leather. Beona is quite similar to spinning saucers or plates in Chinese circus. 

As part of the performance, they teased each others and show off their skills. Started with the basic spinning with stick, then tossing and exchange the objects. Then they change the stick to fan, swords and 2 items together.

The performers also invited few audiences to spin the disc with the stick. Hahaha... oh well it's not easy as you think ;P

Salpan (살판) Acrobatics Performance.

The word Salpan comes from the phrase “If you do well, you will be alive (salpan), and if you don't, you will be dead" (jookeulpan).” 

These salpan performance was ridicously incredible. I don't know how they managed to play the instrument, spin and flip their head and doing 'B-Boy' acrobatics stunts like flipping and flying?! Jinjja Daebak!!!

 

Energetic and lively choreography with all the performers showing their skills

and the strong music beats creating the excitement vibes. Cool! 멋지다~!!!

Hope to watch Pungmulnori, the  representative art performance of Korea

during opening ceremony for Pyeongchang Olympics 2018.

 
The original image of cute Soohorang credited to talented artist Magic Frog.

I don't know how to draw or paint, so these cartoonist Soohorang

performing Pungmulnori, Beonanori and Bupochum was by

painstakingly checking the videos to get the matching positions, 

then merging, deleting the unused parts and editing them.

 

Geommu (검무) Sword Dance.

Geommu, Korean Sword Dance is one of the important intangibles assets. It's originated during the twelfth century the later portion of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Geommu was rearranged by the Royal Court and recreated by the Gisaeng during Joseon Dynasty. 

Gisaeng 'Hwang Jin-Yi' performing sword dance. 

Geommu is performed with special costume, dance motions, and music. The dance is known for its grace in performance. Extra emphasis is placed on the movement of the costuming, notably the sleeves, in harmony with the movements of the dancer.

   

Jeonju Hanok Village Hotel

 

Watching this live was like watching  K-drama 'Painter of the Wind' when Yun Bok and Danwon had to paint 'Fight' as the topic. He painted 'Dance with two swords' (쌍검대무) and Kim Hong Do painted 'Ssireum' (씨름). 

This 'fierce' dance was one of my favorite folk performances, therefore I purposely stayed in Jeonju Hanok Hotel which the hotel using some of Yun Bok's famous paintings including 'Scenery on Dano day' (단오풍정). If you're curious about these two painters, please check my previous post to read more about paintings exhibiting at ACM and particularly standing portrait of Seo Jik-su painted by Yi Myeong-gi and Kim Hong do.

 Jangguchum (장구춤) Hourglass Drum Dance.

Janggu Dance is combining beating hourglass drum which stripped between dancers' shoulder and waist with rhythmic and graceful dance.

Janggu class with KTO VIP Tour members at Jeongdong Theater

before watching traditional musical performance 'Miso.'

It's interesting and fun experience to learn how to beat janggu and holding 2 sticks (Gungchae and Yeolchae) properly. At the end of the class, we managed to play three sets of basic rhythms (장단 = Jangdan). Please check my pervious post if you're interested to know more about janggu.

Buchaechum (부채춤) Fan Dance.

Fans were widely used in dances and rituals as they're belived to bring prosperity and expel evil apart from their useful and decorative functions. This fan dance is said to be  one of the most beautiful and appealing folk dances of Korea.  

The dancers wearing bright hanbok gracefully manipulate their fans while syncronicing their dance movements according to the music. Billowy hanbok flowing when the dancers turning was extremely charming.

 
Seungmu (승무) Buddhist Dance

This dance based on ritual (Bubgo) dances  of Buddhist monks was once banned by the Joseon Court. Then it was transformed into a folk dance and developed mostly by gisaengs. Now it's preserved as one of the Cultural Properties of Korea.

The dancer wears a robe (jangsam) with long sleeve called gasa and white hood called gokkal. The drum (bubgo) is the most important part of Seungmu.  

The seungmu integrates the eight rhythmic cycles mixture of flowing movements and stillness. Every now and then, when one rhythm shifts to another, the dancer changes the mood by changing the steps.

It's a serene and soul-stiring dance contributed by flowing super long white sleeves, dignified movements and slow traditional rhythmic drum beats.

 My most favorite dance still remain the cool and stricking Ogomu  

(five drum dance) after watching 'Gu Family Book' and 'Miso'

Hope that Pyeongchang Olympics will be presenting the beauty of 

Korean culture and arts through these impressive folk dances.

Related Posts:

Korean Buddhist Temple

Fantastick Show
(Fusion Gukak Music Performance)

Gisaeng Hanbok

Asian Civilisations Museum: Joseon Korea

For those who are interested in Korean culture and art, you must not miss this special Korean theme exhibition 'Joseon Korea: Court Treasures and City Life' at Asian Civilisations Museum.

It's drizzling when we came out from Raffles MRT (Exit H).

Kids sharing umbrella with Hangul printing.

Visited ACM last Sunday with my kids without my hubby because he'd to go to work  after Urban Camping at Pasir Ris.

ACM - Joseon Korea (22 Apr - 23 Jul 2017).

It's admission free for 'Seoul Awesome! Weekend Festival' and so much  entertaining activities available for both adults and children such as Korean Traditional performances, workshops, Hanbok experience, traditional games and free tasting of pingsu and popcorn.

Although this museum has permanent galleries, but the background of

receptionist area was plastered with giant Irworobongdo.

The exhibition hall at the second floor is divided into smaller galleries based on the themes. There are 14 interesting and engaging themes where you can see all these treasures with your own eyes...

Court Treasures and City Life: Joseon Dynasty was one of the 

longest dynasties in the world history which lasted more than 500 years.

Moon Jar Porcelin and Goryeo Celadons such as Ewer, Brushrest, Vase and 

Kundika from National Museum of Korea are currently displaying at 

Departing from Goryeo Dynasty.

Manuscript of Lotus Sutra Vol. 2 

The most distinction between Goryeo and Joseon is from their religious. Goryeo which inheriting Silla's traditions and cultures was influenced by Buddhism in their daily life. However, Buddhism was suprressed during Joseon Dynasty because principles of Confucianism were greatly adopted.

Royal Authority and Court Culture.

Irworobongdo: Folding screeen of Sun, Moon and 5 Peaks.

Received goodie bag after we snapped a photo here, 

tagged @acm_sg and posted on Instagram and Facebook.

Rooted by philosophy of Confucianism, King Sukjong made this Royal Seal of 

King Taejo when he granted posthumous title to King Taejo about 300 years later. 

Eulogy book made from ten slabs of jade was concurently carved to show his 

filial piety and respect for ancestors. 

Talking about King Sukjong causing my mind to auto playing 'Walk In A Dreamy Road (애지아)' - OST of popular historical drama Dong Yi about love story between King Sukjong and Choi Suk-bin.

 Gujangbok (구장복) King's Robe with 9 symbols
 (4 ying symbols and 5 yang symbols).

This ceremonial robe wore by the Joseon kings for the formal and important occasions such as the garye (celebration rites), gillye (auspicious rites), hyungnye (inauspicious rites).

It's paired with myeonryugwana hat with beads surrounding king's head, face, and ears. It means that the king is required to avoid personal feelings, desire, humble himself, and to keep his body and mind holy. 

 

This photo was taken at Unhyeongung displaying mannequins 

of King Gojong in Gujangbok and Queen Min in Jeogui

for their royal wedding ceremony.

After King Gojong proclaimed himself as the first Emperor in 1897, he changed Gujangbok to Sibijangbok (12 symbol dress) and changed the color of Jeogui from red to blue color. You can find Queen's ceremonial robe at 'The Queen and Her Court' gallery...

Jeogui (적의) was the formal robe for a Joseon Queen. Similar to Gujangbok, 

it's reserved for the important occasions such as her own wedding or state events.

Joseon Royal Family parade infront of Korea Traditional 

Cultural Experience Center at Incheon Airport.

Please check my previous post if you want to know more about Gollyongpo, ordinary robe with dragon embroidery. The dragon's clawed and colors define the position from the robe. Joseon Kings wore red Gollyongpo and Emperor wore golden robe after the Daehan Empire.

Besides Hanbok for King and Queen, you can find other types of traditional customes and accessories used on different occasions such as wedding and first birthday during Joseon Dynasty. 

 Hwarot (활옷) was traditional Korean attire with flowers embroideries
worn during the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty by royal families for
ceremonial occasions. Commoners only permitted to wear
hwarot on the wedding day.

Auspicious emblems such as peaches and cranes as symbols of longevity

are interspersed with butterflies and pair of birds to represent conjugal 

harmony. Peonies connote wealth and honour, lotuses embody purity

and fertility. On the shoulder embellished a popular Chinese phrase 

'二姓之合，百福之源'  (meaning: the union of two families is the 

source of a hundred blessings).

 A pair of wooden geese with wrapping cloth, pouch and spoon case

are some of the important items in traditional wedding customs.

I actually seen these wedding gifts at Bettl Hanbok's store,

and finally figured out why they displayed these oriental items there...

A set of carved wooden Korean Wedding Geese (원앙세트 = Mandarin duck set), often wrapped in colorful Bojagi (보자기) leaving only the necks and heads exposed. 

Mandarin ducks are chosen as marriage gifts in Korean wedding because it's believed that they mate for life unlike other types of ducks, and if one of the pair dies, the other will mourn. In Korea's custom, Mandarin ducks represent peace, pure, fidelity, and plentiful offspring.

The female duck may have a ribbon tied around her beak as a sign that the wife should be quiet and support her husband. It is also common to see a ribbon around both ducks' beaks signifying that silence is a virtue.

 Bojagi cloth are used to cover giftsand food as a sign of 

respect. It's believed to retain good luck and happiness.

Newlywed brides embridered pouch with ten longevity 

symbols as gifts to their parents-in-law to express

filial piety.

Not sure whether this pouch is similar to lucky pouch (Bokjumeoni) which traditionally worn with hanbok because there is no pocket in hanbok. During Joseon Era, royal family send a bag which has roasted beans wrapped in red paper to their relative as new year gift. It believe that it guard against evil spirits and bring blessings.  

Korean Embroidery Spoon Case.

 Dangui (당의) Royal Court Hanbok (top).

Norigae, Tiger claw Norigae, Pendant with Parfume case

and 3-part Norigae (bottom left to right).

This hanbok is daily wear for women in royal court. Other women would wear this when they visited the court or attended special ceremonies. 

Please check my previous post about Dangui Hanbok at Unhyeonggung Palace.

Norigae (노리개) was originally referred to 'pretty and playful object.'

Norigae's a typical traditional accessory for hanbok that attached to jeogori goreum (coat strings) or chima (skirt). Previously designs, size and material of norigae showing the social status of the wearer. The motifs of the main ornament of the norigae were usually auspicious characters.

Norigaes were not only decorative but function as good luck charm. Norigae with tiger claw is said to protect the wearer from animals like snake, bells were believed to chase away evil spirits. Duckssymbolized the love and harmony. 

Some women used their main ornament as perfume case, used as a needle case which was considered as a feminine virtue. In Sageuk drama, some attached 'jangdo' ornamental knife to their norigae. The material used to make jangdo is silver (eunjangdo) or gold (geumjangdo) with steel blade. Women used jangdo for self-defense. When women wore jang they had a breast-tie, called paedo and pocket called nangdo. 

Three-part norigae was the most elaborate and embodied harmony among heaven, eart and human. However, one part norigae was more suitable for daily use. 

The saekdongot is a type of hanbok with colorful stripes sleeves. 

The name literally means 'rainbow-coloured (saekdong)  cloth (ot)' in Korean. Saekdong was usually worn by children from the age of one to seven year old during Lunar New Year, Dano Day and their first birthday.

The sleeves consisted of five colors which representing five cardinal directions (obang): East (blue-green), West (white), South (red), North (black), Center (yellow). This combination represented harmony and believed to have protective powers for blessing the child with health, long life and good luck. Saekdong sleeves has been used throughout hanbok such as jeogori (a short jacket), magoja (a buttoned jacket), durumagi (overcoat), wedding robes and ritual dress of shamans.

 Queen for 5 minutes 5분의왕비 at KTO Hanbok Experience Booth.

 

Sportif Soohorang is ready for 2018 Pyeongchang 

Winter Olympics Games, how about you?

Please click here for more information on Pyeongchang, Soohorang and Bandabi...

There are many more interesting treasures from the National Museum of Korea and the National Palace Museum in Seoul that you might not want to miss them. It's the first time they exhibiting them in Singapore, so why not take a glimpse into traditional culture of Korea of 500 years long history right here at Asian Civilisations Museum.