46th Maryland Korean Festival Korean Performances - A Blend of Tradition and Modernity

Performance Lineup

1. Court Dance / Hyangbal Dance

2. Taepyeongmu

3. Arang’s Dream, The Changing Seasons

4. Jindo Drum Dance

5. Beoggu Dance

6. Dance for Peace

7. Namdo Folk Songs (Namwonsanseong, Hamyangyangjamga, Jindo Arirang)

8. Mother Arirang

9. Sangmo Spinning

10. Joy Sogo Dance

11. Janggo Dance

Curtain Call

1. Hyangbal Dance

It is a dance performed with a small brass gold material (Hyangbal) resembling castanets on their fingers and making a sound while meeting each other, and was actively used when there was a country feast in the Joseon Dynasty. This work added moderation and excitement with a clear and cheerful sound.

Performers: Hyunsuk Jeong, Eunsook Kim, Dohee Lee, Mi Kyung Lee, Yunjin, Hwang, Hyemi Jeon, Aekyeong Lim, Kyung Ga Cho, Hyeonju Jeong, Youngsun Park, Min Young Lee

2. Taepyeongmu

Based on the dance moves of the Gyeonggi Dance Company in the early 20th century, Taepyeongmu is a dance staged by Han Sung-joon and was designated as a national intangible cultural property in 1988. The music is more complicated and tricky than other dances with the Nakgung Jangdan, Turbulim, Ollimchae, and Dosalpuri tunes. The dance is bright and elegant in general, but the technique of footsteps is delicate and diverse. The rhythm and footsteps show a brilliant style, but the breathing of the upper body is characterized by showing moderation.

Performers: Yeonah Kang, Sung Ja Cha, Miyoung Kang

3. Arang's Dream

Arang's Dream is a variation of 'Milyang Arirang', a folk song from Gyeongsang Province. It is a song that lets you feel the excitement and style of Miryang Arirang's single melody through various changes in rhythm. It is originally played as a solo piece, but it has been rearranged by the Arang team to be performed as a trio.

Performers: Kyok Kim, Hyung Jung Hong, Jihye Choi, Yoonjeong Yang, Jiyeong Lee, Yeon Su Choi

4. Jindo Drum Dance

Jindo drum dance is a drum dance passed down from Jindo, Korea, and it is the most popular and artistic dance among percussion dances. It combines exciting movements on various rhythms such as Jajinmori, Gutgeori, and Dongsalpuri while holding drums in both hands. Today, this Jindo drum dance will convey the emotions of life—joy, anger, sorrow, and delight—with the unique 'SOUL' of Lee Kang-hyun.

Performers: Yeonghee Lim, Sung Ja Cha, Miyoung Kang, Yeonah Kang, Nari Lim

5. Beoggu Dance

Beoggu Dance is a work based on the rhythm of the Udo Nongak. This dance, composed of complex and beautiful movements, is performed with the beoggu drum, a medium-sized drum larger than the small sogo but smaller than a full drum. In this performance, the dancers spin and lift the beoggu while striking it to the rhythm, creating a dynamic and lively performance.

Performers: Jeongho Kim, Taewook Jo

6. Dance for Peace

We are all connected by fate and relationships. Dance for Peace is a work made with the hope that everyone in the world will be free and happy.

Performers: Hyunsuk Jeong, Eunsook Kim, Dohee Lee, Mi Kyung Lee, Yunjin Hwang, Hyemi Jeon, Aekyeong Lim, Kyung Ga Cho, Hyeonju Jeong, Youngsun Park, Min Young Lee

7. Namdo Folk Song Series

The Namdo Folk Song Series connects Namwonsanseong, Hamyangyangjamga, and Jindo Arirang. These traditional songs encompass love and the sorrows of life and freely express various emotions. The performance progresses from a slow tempo to a faster tempo and concludes with a cheerful rhythm.

Performers: So Young Kim

8. Mother Arirang

This work expresses the sorrowful heart of a mother who loves her child and the noble heart of a child who loves their parents in a lighthearted yet sorrowful way.

Performers: Hyunsuk Jeong, Eunsook Kim, Dohee Lee, Mi Kyung Lee, Yunjin Hwang, Hyemi Jeon, Aekyeong Lim, Kyung Ga Cho, Hyeonju Jeong, Youngsun Park, Min Young Lee

9. Chae Sang Sogo Dance

Chaesang Sogo Dance is a work that harmonizes the chemistry of Chaesang Sogo Nori and traditional dance, which can be said to be the flower of Nongak. It is a work that the viewers cannot take their eyes off the splendor of Sangmo.

Performers: Jeongho Kim, Taewook Jo

10. Joy Sogo Dance

Arirang! Arirang! Arariyo! Let's have fun while holding the sogo and dancing with our shoulders.

Performers: Hyunsuk Jeong, Eunsook Kim, Dohee Lee, Mi Kyung Lee, Yunjin Hwang, Hyemi Jeon, Aekyeong Lim, Kyung Ga Cho, Hyeonju Jeong, Youngsun Park, Min Young Lee

11. Janggo Dance

This Janggo dance is a 12-piece Gyobang Janggo dance, a traditional dance that was performed towards the end of the Japanese colonial period. The current Janggo dance includes the rhythm of Honam Udo Seoljanggo, and its unique dance moves add to the artistry and excitement of Korean dance.

Performers: Yeonghee Lim, Nari Lim, Yeonah Kang, Sung Ja Cha, Taewook Jo, Jeongho Kim