Revisiting Seungmu and Hakmu on the 100th Anniversary of the Late Han Youngsuk's Birth

Han Youngsook 'Seungmu'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] An event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great figure in the dance world, the late Han Young-sook (1920?1989), will be held from the 22nd to the 24th at Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno, Seoul, and other locations. The event, organized by the Han Young-sook Dance Preservation Society, is titled "Han Young-sook Dance, History and Creation." Starting with the opening ceremony on the 22nd, there will be an academic conference on the 23rd, and a performance called "Recreation and Continuation of Han Young-sook Dance" on the 24th. Many of her disciples will participate in the opening ceremony, showcasing Salpuri, Seungmu, and Taepyeongmu dances. In "Recreation and Continuation of Han Young-sook Dance," performances will include the exorcism dance "Sum-Puri," "Obang Buknori," which reinterprets the meanings of the five elements and five directions, and "Gyeonggi Sinawi," performed by masters of Korean traditional music.

Han Young-sook was the granddaughter of Han Seong-jun, who is called the father of modern Korean dance. She continued the lineage and established a unique domain in Seungmu, Salpuri dance, and Taepyeongmu. She was a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (currently National Intangible Cultural Heritage) No. 27 Seungmu and No. 40 Hakmu. Through overseas performances, she introduced the beauty of Korean traditional dance, and while teaching at schools, she trained many disciples.