Korean dance, along with the music associated with it, was developed in ancient times as part of rituals and celebrations. The rituals were performed in honor of the ancestors or gods of heaven and earth or shamanic ceremonies in order to ensure harmony with supernatural beings. Over time the dance became a ritual for the entertainment genre. This process is common in many parts of the world. From the time of the ancient tribal societies, dance was an expression of aesthetic sensibility expressed through body movements with the use of mental and physical power. Using the body as a vehicle,people feel comfortable, happy and energetic. The ancient dances became more refined from the Three Kingdoms period, after the arrival of Buddhism and Confucianism. In general, traditional Korean dances can be divided into four categories: courtly, rituals, folk dances and professional entertainers.
DANCE OF THE COURT (jeongjae, 정재, lit: "Talent Showcase")
It was the way of entertainment of the royal family and nobility, are divided into two categories, DANG-AK JEONGJAE (당악 정재) or foreign dances (ethnic Chinese) who adapted with little modification, and HYANG-AK
JEONGJAE (향악 정재) or native Korean dances.
The court dances were performed in celebration of the court for the glorification of the virtues of the king and to pray for their longevity, for national peace, and to have abundant crops, while presented in banquets and courtiers foreign envoys. Among the most important court dances are DANG-AK jeongjae SUYEONJANG (수연장, "the dance of the feast"), POGURAK (포구락, "dance to throw the ball") and CHUNAENGJEON (추냉전, "the dance of spring nightingale "). Of court dances are the most popular native CHEOYONGMU (처용무, "the dance of CHEONYONG (처뇽) SEONYURAK (서뉴락," the dance of the boat "), GAINJEONMOKDAN (가인 전 목단," the dance of the beautiful women picking peonies (flowers) "), GEOMMU (검무," the dance of the sword "), HAGYEONHWA DAEHAPSEOLMU (하견화 대합설무," the dance of the crane and lotus flower "), BONGNAE-EUI (봉내의" the arrival of the Phoenix "), and ABANGMU (아방무," the dance of the keys to bone "). These pieces are extremely elegant courtesans.
RITUAL DANCES
These styles include Buddhist, shamanistic, Confucian and funerals. The exquisite ritual dance presented at the royal ancestral shrine and Confucian shrine is ILMU(일무, "Dance linear"), which is divided into civil and military dances. Buddhist dances originated during the Joseon period. Three building blocks are in JAKBEOP (작법, lit: "Creating the harma"), made important Buddhist ceremonies: NABICHUM (나비춤, "Dance of the Butterfly"); barachum (바라춤, "Dance of the cymbal") and BEOPKOCHUM (법코춤, "Dance of the drum of the law"). These teach Buddhist principles and are performed by monks specializing in song and dance. The charismatic shamanic dances are regional variations. These were tools to pray for good fortune and spiritual powers to call in order to expel demons and disease and to purify the souls of the dead. Once shamans reach spiritual ecstasy, combined with spectacular moves and invocations sung texts. MUSOKCHUM or MUMU (무속춤 or 무무) MUDANG dance (무당, "shaman") These dances have a simplicity in his choreographic style. The dancers usually jump on a point with both feet accompanied by thunderous rhythms of a small set of bells. Upon receipt of the spiritual power and oracles, turn left.
FOLK DANCES
These dances are more linked to people's lives. They come from a variety of communal rituals. When and by whom were made, of course, is unknown. Spontaneously emerged over the years, and their styles vary from region to region. The recipe must for folk dances is a topic from the lives of workers, giving them their own unique regional flavor. While the court dances were intended artistic quality and offered special sequences in choreography, folk dances were improvised, revealing something unpolished style.
These include the impressive TALCHUM (탈춤 "mask dance dramas") which were transmitted to all parts of the country and of which there are 13 types, of which BONGSAN TALCHUM(봉산 탈춤) and SONGPA TALCHUM (송파 탈춤) are the best known.
They are also SEUNGMU (승무, Dance of the monk), SEUNGJEONMU (승전무, Dance of Victory), SALPULI (살풀리, "Dance to cleanse the spirit" exorcism dance), TAEPYEONGMU (태평무, Dance of Peace), MIYALHALMICHUM (미얄할미춤, dance of older women), CHAESANG SOGOCHUM (채상 소고춤, Dance of the drums), NONGAK (농악, Dance of farmers).
There are also farmers spontaneous dances are accompanied by work songs.
NEW TRADITIONAL DANCE
Buchaechum (부채춤, "Dance of the fans") created by KIM BONG BAEK-(김백봉) which was first presented publicly in año1954. Typically run by a group of dancers wearing brightly colored hanbok. They use fans painted with flowers. In the choreography, are representing figures using fans. For example flowers, butterflies and waves.
HWAGWANMU (화관무, "Dance of the wreath") Jangguchum (장구춤), dance with JANGGU (장구), drum-shaped hourglass. It can be done solo or in groups. The foot movements are quick and cheerful. SAMGOMU OGUMU (삼고무 오고무), drum dance.
BUGI DAEHAPJJU (북의 대합주, Great set of drums). A dance of drums made by SU-GUK HO (국수호) in 1981. The instruments include drums all Koreans
