Arts
Andong Chajeon Nori
The Andong Chajeon Nori is a mock chariot battle performed as a folk play and as a rite to pray for a good harvest. It is said to have its origins in battles between a Later Baekje period rebel leader and a Goryeo Dynasty king, which would date it to the tenth century. First, trees would be selected and felled, and a sacrificial rite would take place. Much later and after the trees had been transformed into the desired structure, the battle would take place, with the whole village being involved and taking one of two sides. The two leaders would stand on the wooden structures that had been made with the felled trees and the battle would commence with the winner and loser being decided based on whose wooden frame had or had not fallen to the ground.
Arirang
Arirang is a lyrical folk song that has been passed down through the generations, but its beginnings remain unclear other than the fact that it seems to have originated from a Gangwon-do folk song named Arari. Arirang consists of just a few lyrics, including the word Arirang, but there are many regional variations which maintain the title Arirang but incorporate the region name into the title. In fact, any song with the word Arirang in the chorus is known as Arirang, which means that there is an ever growing number of Arirang. Both the South Korean and North Korean Arirang were inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2012.
Baltal
Baltal, or foot mask theatre, is in a way similar to puppet shows in that a person will remain hidden whilst controlling a puppet. In this case, the puppet is actually a face mask that is placed on the foot whilst the puppet arms are controlled by string. The performance involves singing, dancing and making jokes. Another person works in harmony with the mask puppeteer, but in full view of the audience and the performance is also accompanied by musicians. Photograph reproduced courtesy of the Korea Heritage Service website.
Bongsan Talchum
Bongsan Talchum is one of the better known mask dance dramas. There are actually two different types of Bongsan Talchum, which are location dependent, and each has its own masks, costumes and dance moves. The Bongsan Talchum has seven acts and a close and has 36 different characters, making it quite large compared to some of the other mask dance dramas. Despite these differences, it does share similarities, including character type. Bongsan Talchum characters include monks and noblemen and as well as a lion, a dancer, an old woman and an old man. Most of the Bongsan Talchum acts focus on dancing, although as with other talchum, it is a combination of dance, dialogue, music and ritual. Bongsan Talchum was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Bukcheong Saja Noreum
Bukcheong Saja Noreum is the lion mask dance of Bukcheong. The origins of the mask dance lie in the country of Bukcheong, which is in Hamgyeongnam-do, North Korea and it dates as far back as the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE to 668 CE). The dance took place on the full moon on the 15th January on the lunar calendar, its purpose to drive away misfortune. Today the Bukcheong Saja Noreum Preservation Society is actively involved in preserving and presenting the dance. The Bukcheong Saja Noreum was classified as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 1967, and inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Bulhwajang (Buddhist painting)
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Cheoyongmu
Cheoyongmu, otherwise known as the Dance of Cheoyong or the Dance of Cheoyong in Five Directions, is based on a tale from the Unified Silla period (676 to 935) in which a man named Cheoyong sang and danced to stop a deity passing on a disease to his wife. Originally the dance was performed by only one person, but this changed to five people in the fifteenth century. Each performer wears a mask and different clothes made up of the same five colours which represent yin and yang, with the intention of chasing away evil spirits. By the end of the fifteenth century the dance was being performed as part of a royal court ritual. The Cheoyongmu (Dance of Cheoyong) was incribed as National Intangible Heritage in 1971 and was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009.
Daegeum Jeongak (classical daegeum solo music)
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Daegeum Sanjo (freestyle daegeum solo music)
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Dancheongjang (decorative painting)
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Dongnae Yaryu (mask dance drama of Dongnae)
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Dongnae Yaryu was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Eunyul Talchum (mask dance drama of Eunyul)
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Eunyul Talchum was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gagok (lyric song cycles accompanied by an orchestra)
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Ganggangsullae (circle dance)
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The ganggangsullae was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
Gangneung Nongak (farmers’ performance of Gangneung)
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The Gangneung Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gangnyeong Talchum (mask dance drama of Gangnyeong)
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Gangnyeong Talchum was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gasa (narrative song)
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Gasan Ogwangdae (mask dance drama of Gasan)
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Gasan Ogwangdae was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gayageum Sanjo and Byeongchang (freestyle gayageum solo music and singing)
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Geomungo Sanjo (freestyle geomungo solo music)
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Gimcheon Geumneung Binnae Nongak (farmers' performance of Binnae Village, Gimcheon
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Gimcheon Geumneung Binnae Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Goseong Nongyo (farmers’ song of Goseong)
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Goseong Ogwangdae (mask dance drama of Goseong)
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Goseong Ogwangdae was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gurye Hyangje Julpungnyu (string ensemble of Gurye)
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Gurye Jansu Nongak (farmers’ performance of Jansu, Gurye)
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Gurye Jansu Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Gyeonggi Minyo (folk song of Gyeonggi area)
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Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori (mask dance drama of Hahoe)
The Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori is a post Lunar New Year mask dance performed to the village guardian for peace and a good crop. It is made up of eight different acts or madang: boy dancer, head monk, butcher, old woman, depraved monk, nobleman and scholar, wedding and first night - and throughout, the performance is accompanied by a farmer's band playing traditional instruments. The Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori has been performed for around 500 years and is listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, whilst the masks used in the ritual are designated as National Treasures. Today, you can see some of these acts performed at the Hahoe Mask Dance Performance Hall, just on the outskirts of Hahoe Village. The Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Hak Yeonhwadae Hapseolmu (crane dance and lotus flower dance)
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Hwanghae-do Pyeongsan Sonoreumgut (shamanic ox performance of Pyeongsan, Hwanghae-do)
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Imsil Pilbong Nongak (farmers’ performance of Pilbong, Imsil)
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Imsil Pilbong Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Iri Hyangje Julpungnyu (string ensemble of Iri)
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Iri Nongak (farmers’ performance of Iri)
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Iri Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Jeju Minyo (folk song of Jeju)
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Jindo Dasiraegi (dasiraegi play of Jindo)
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Jinju Geommu (sword dance of Jinju)
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Jinju Samcheonpo Nongak (farmers’ performance of Samcheonpo, Jinju)
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Jinju Samcheonpo Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Jultagi (tightrope walking)
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Nakhwajang (pyrography)
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Nakjukjang (bamboo pyrography)
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Namdo Deullorae (farmers’ song of Jeollanam-do)
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Namsadang Nori (itinerant troupe performance)
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Namwon Nongak (farmers' performance of Namwon)
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Namwon Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Pansori (epic chant)
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Pansori was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Piri Jeongak and Daechwita (classical piri solo and military band music)
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Pyeongtaek Nongak (farmers’ performance of Pyeongtaek)
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Pyeongtaek Nongak was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2014 as part of the 'Nongak, community band music, dance and rituals in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Seodo Sori (folk song of the western provinces)
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Seonsori Santaryeong (folk song of the mountain performed whilst standing)
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Seungjeonmu (victory dance)
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Seungmu (monk's dance)
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Songpa Sandae Nori (mask dance drama of Songpa)
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The Songpa Sandae Nori was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Suyeong Yaryu (mask dance drama of Suyeong)
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The Suyeong Yaryu was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Taepyeongmu (dance of peace)
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Tongyeong Ogwangdae (mask dance drama of Tongyeong)
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The Tongyeong Ogwangdae was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Yangju Byeolsandae Nori (mask dance drama ofYangju)
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The Yangju Byeolsandae Nori was inscribed onto the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022 as part of the 'Talchum, mask dance drama in the Republic of Korea' listing.
Yecheon Tongmyeong Nongyo (farmers’ song of Tongmyeong, Yecheon)
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Yeongsan Soemeori Daegi (wooden bullfight of Yeongsan)
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References/Further Reading
Cultural Heritage Administration (2014) Nongak: Community Bank Music, Dance, and Rituals in the Republic of Korea. Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
Cultural Heritage Administration (2019) Talchum: Mask Dance Drama in the Republic of Korea. Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
Cultural Heritage Administration (2021) Arirang: Lyrical Folk Song in the Republic of Korea. Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation
Encyclopaedia of Korean Folk Culture (n.d.) Bongsan Talchum. https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/1313
Encyclopaedia of Korean Folk Culture (n.d.) Hahoe Byeolsin Mask Dance Performance. https://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/detail/5226
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Andong Chajeon Nori (Chariot Battle of Andong). english.khs.go.kr/chaen/search/andong-chajeon-nori
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Baltal (Foot Mask Theater). https://english.cha.go.kr/chaen/search/baltal
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Bukcheong Saja Noreum (Lion Mask Dance of Bukcheong) https://english.cha.go.kr/chaen/search/bukcheon-saja-noreum
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Cheoyongmu (Dance of Cheoyong). english.khs.go.kr/chaen/search/cheoyongmu
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity - Republic of Korea - Cheoyongmu. https://english.khs.go.kr/cop/bbs/select/cheoyongmu
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori (Mask Dance Drama of Hahoe). english.cha.go.kr
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Heritage Classification. english.khs.go.kr/classification
Korea Heritage Service (2006) Heritage Search. english.khs.go.kr/chaen/search/
All photographs taken by the site owner unless otherwise stated.