Dongseo University Asia Future Design Institute Publishes Oral History Book on the Life of Dongnae Crane Dance Holder Lee Sunghoon

Dongnae Crane Dance:
Drawing Life and Style within Elegance

The Asia Future Design Institute (AFDI) at Dongseo University has published a book featuring the voice of Lee Sunghoon, the holder of the intangible cultural heritage of Dongnae Crane Dance.

AFDI announced that, as part of its research connecting the traditional value and modern creativity of local cultural heritage, it published an oral history book titled "Dongnae Crane Dance: Drawing Life and Style within Elegance" on June 20, 2025, capturing the life of Lee Sunghoon, the holder of the Dongnae Crane Dance intangible cultural heritage.

AFDI's research on Dongnae Crane Dance began in June 2021 through a research agreement with the Dongnae Crane Dance Preservation Society. This oral history project was carried out in 2022 as part of the General Joint Research Support Program by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea. Research professors Kim Hyojeong and Kim Jihye conducted six in-depth interviews with Lee Sunghoon from 2022 to 2023, and after manuscript review, the book was completed.

The oral history book vividly and concretely captures Lee Sunghoon's journey into dance, his persistence toward Dongnae Crane Dance at each turning point in his life, and his attitude as an artist. The research team explained that their goal was to highlight the value of cultural assets that can serve both to transmit the essence of local traditional culture and as a foundation for future design.

Jang Jooyoung, director of AFDI, stated, "This oral history book, which contains the philosophy of life and dance of Lee Sunghoon, goes beyond a simple record to convey the history and value of local intangible cultural heritage," and added, "Through Dongnae Crane Dance and the life of its holder, we aimed to present the future potential of local cultural heritage research."

This oral history book offers a new perspective to readers considering approaches to local intangible heritage, those unfamiliar with local cultural assets, and those who have regarded Busan as a barren land for culture and the arts.