Korean dancers reveal much beyond ginseng and soccer

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

What is Korea famous for? Except for its ginseng, the country began to steal international attention by reaching the 2002 Soccer World Cup semifinals under Dutch coach Guus Hiddink before bowing out to eventual runners-up Germany.

Its disciplined, efficient and hard-work ethic also helped the country to successfully co-host the quadrennial event with neighboring country Japan.

Despite the country's famous martial arts, tae kwon do, and TV dramas which are flooding Indonesian TV stations, we know little about Korean culture.

The presence of the National Dance Company of Korea at the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta International Festival from Sept. 4 to Sept. 29 is really a great chance for us to learn more about Korean folk and traditional dances.

The company presented 10 dances divided into two sections during its Korean Fantasy performance on Sept. 5. Traditional dances were featured in The Light of Dawn while Dynamic Korea focused more on other contemporary choreographies.

The whole performance was opened with Yomyong Eibit (The Incipient Light of Dawn), picturing the 5,000-year history of Korea. The piece borrowed the styles of Kainjonmoktan (a kind of court dance circling around a pony) and Taepyongmu (a dance praying for peace). All the female dancers wore the splendid full dress of court ladies with long sleeves extending beyond their hands.

It was followed with Sarangechum (Love Song) which is a modern rendition of a Korean drama Tomi's Wife focusing on the faithfulness and love between Tomi and his wife. Most of the movements were cheerful with a lot of smiles.

An atmosphere of joy and playfulness was shown when 15 female dancers performed Jindo Ganggangsullae (Women's circle dance) with its distinctive circular movement and choreography.

The fourth piece was Dongnae Hakchum (Dongnae Crane Dance) where all the male dancers wore Korean traditional garbs and black hats. Dongnae is an area near Busan which is famous for its hot springs. The dance itself expressed Korean sentiment of harmony with nature.

The dancers looked like cranes with their hanging sleeves. At one point they moved their hands resembling cranes flapping their wings. Or when a dancer lifted one of his legs and inclined his body.

Two other dances in the first section were Janggochum (Hourglass Drum Dance) and Ogomu (Five Drum Dance). Both pieces featured the dancers' ability to play Korean traditional percussion instruments.

The second section was opened with Bechechum (Fan Dance). It is quite similar to South Sulawesi's traditional dance Anging Mamiri. Both dances have the same highlight when the dancers form a circle with their fans and move around like a giant circle.

Ages of Korean tradition of martial arts were reflected in Geommu (Sword Dance). This newly created piece used dance to portray the Hwarang learning martial arts.

Perhaps, the core of Korean traditional dance has its best example in Salpuri (Scarf Dance) when a solo female dancer enters the stage performing the last rite of the ritual process of Korean shamanism. The dancer moves in a very slow manner with a scarf in her right hand.

Bukei Daehabju (Great Epic of Drums and Dance) was the most colossal number as most of the dancers performed in the closing piece.

They played the traditional percussion instruments while changing choreography. They kept striking the drums while sitting, walking, dancing or even running.

Their stamina was strong as none of the dancers were caught out of breath. They just kept smiling while performing highly spirited movements.

The company is the best and most famous dance troupe in Korea. Joining it has long been most dancers dream. Established in 1962, the company was meant to cultivate both Korean traditional and folk dances. It was also to introduce creative theatrical dance.

Having the 60 best dancers, the company has been staging 80 regular performances with 180 tours locally and overseas. The dancers boast about their solid experience and capability. The company has been involved in the world's sports major events since its early years by introducing Korean beauties and dynamics at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.

Its Olympic involvement continued at the 1972 Munich Olympics and at each quadrennial event until the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

It also performed at the 1976 Celebration of the United States' Bicentennial. Another American performance was when it organized tours in 1995 to promote its hosting the 2002 World Cup in Central America and South America.

"We always select our dancers during strict auditions. Perhaps only one of 100 good dancers can be admitted," director and choreographer Bae Jung-hye told The Jakarta Post.

"Even dancers have to be screened in an annual audition. If they fail to keep our standard, they have to leave the company at once."

Every applicant must be a university graduate majoring in traditional dances and is required to master 50 traditional dances once accepted into the company.

Dancers said the reason for joining the company was more due to its reputation instead of financial reasons.

"I only get 1.5 million won (US$1,364) per month which is barely enough to cover my expenses. But this is the best dance company back home," Woo Joe-hyun told the Post. "Besides, there is this pride if you can be a member of this dance company."