[INDONESIA] Learning Traditional Korean Songs & Dances Through 2018 A Week of Intangible Korean Cultural Heritage

On 27 October 2018, as part of ‘K-Performance Korea Festival 2018′, Korean Cultural Center (KCC) and Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation organised ‘2018 A Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage’ with its aim to increase the understanding of Korean folk culture. The event took place at Ciputra Artpreneur Jakarta and for approximately two hours, the audience were entertained with a variety of traditional Korean folk songs and dances!

The event started with ‘Namhaen Byeolsingut – Subu Sinawi’ and ‘Yongseon Noreum’. Namhaen Byeolsingut is a shamanic communal event praying for peace and safety for a village, originated from Southern Coastal Region of Korea. The term Subu Sinawi refers to the finale of the rite, it is performed to console the spirits of the unknown, guiding them to the peaceful after-world. Meanwhile, Yongseon Noreum refers to a dragon ship transporting dead souls to the after-world. These two performances were also dedicated to the recent tragedy that happened in Sulawesi, as we pray for the victims to rest in peace.

‘Gyobangchum’ or commonly known as ‘Gyobang Dance’ was next in line. It is a feminine and elegant dance usually performed during important public events or state celebrations. The show went on with Indonesian renowned folk songs ‘Bengawan Solo’ and ‘Jali-Jali’ delivered by traditional Korean musical instruments. It was certainly a refreshing and lively take to have our local traditional songs switched and played with a totally brand new arrangement.

The performance of ‘Buchaechum’ or commonly known as ‘Fan Dance’ stole the spotlight that night. Loud cheers were heard as soon as the curtain opened to a group of female dancers with fans creating a flower formation. The audience were mesmerised throughout the entire performance as the dancers created unique moves with their fans.

The event continued with ‘Pansori’, a unique performance where the vocalist takes on as many as hundred roles for the show accompanied by the beats of drum. As one of UNESCO’s ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’, Pansori attracted the audience with its unique artistry.

Up next was a performance of ‘Daegeum Sanjo’.  In this instrumental performance from musical instruments, the musician plays sanjo (scattered melodies) solo on a dageum (long transverse bamboo flute). This traditional Korean music has been a part of minsogak (folk music) since the 1920s.

The show proceeded with a performance by a group of beautiful female dancers as they performed the ‘Jangguchum’ dance. It is a traditional dance that requires dancers to wear janggu, a slim drum draped around their waist. The performance consisted of a mixture of folk songs and quick movements with the drum.

The night became even more special when the ‘Samulnori’ (percussion quartet) and ‘Jindo Bukchum’ (Jindo drum dance) teams showcased their strengths together. Samulnori refers to an ensemble of four traditional Korean percussions, two gongs and two drums. Jindo Bukchum is a dance performed by playing a barrel drum being carried on the dancer’s shoulder.

Just as the audience thought the event was going to end, the beautiful ladies who performed Jangguchum dance earlier joined forces with the Samulnori and Jindi Bukcham teams on stage! Their collaboration attracted loud cheers from the audience and was definitely one of the highlights of the night.

Soon, it was time to wrap up and all teams gathered together on stage to sing ‘Arirang’. As one of the long-standing traditional folk song in Korea, experts estimate that there are around 60 different styles of this song to have existed! The song is recognised across the globe, serving as a universal, cultural link among Koreans.

We were honoured to be proud of such an amazing event and would like to thank Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) and YES24Ent Indonesia for giving us a chance to be part of of it! 🙂

Photos by: KCC Indonesia & YES24 Indonesia
Written by: Rachma & Asti Wisnu

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