Korean dancers reveal much beyond ginseng and soccer
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."