Event Planning & Performances
ASIAN CIVILISATION MUSEUM - "Seoul Awesome" - 17/18 JUNE 2017
The following dances were part of a series of performances produced by Son Yu Joung, commissioned by the Asian Civilisation Museum as part of its "Seoul Awesome" weekend festival, to celebrate it's exhibition on the Joseon Dynasty.
Janggu Dance
This dance originated from farm music and was traditionally performed by kisaengs (Korean “geishas") during the Joseon dynasty. It involves playing an hour-glass shaped drum while dancing, and can range from gracefully fluid movements to technically vigorous, hence, it is considered one of the more technically challenging dances requiring a high level of skill and competence to execute well.
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The Janggu Dance was performed by Son Yu Joung and Yeon Hae Jin.
Buddhist (Seungmu) Dance
The Buddhist dance is designated as South Korea’s 27th Important Intangible Cultural Asset (Cultural Heritage Administration). It is considered the most challenging of all Korean traditional dances because of how it intensively combines all the methods of traditional dance movements. It was performed by Kim Eun Hee, a distinguished and highly acclaimed Korean traditional dancer who has dedicated more than 60 years of her career practicing and performing the art form. She is not only a consummate dancer, but also a renown educator, and has been credited with having restored the Miryang Sword Dance, one of the most popular types of dance in the 18th century, late Joseon Dynasty. She is currently serving as President of Kim Eun Hee's Research Institute of Korean Dance Movement Principles, President of the Miryang Sword Dance Preservation Society, and Vice President of the Traditional Dance Association of Korea.
Miryang Sword Dance
The Miryang sword dance is suggested to have been created by a kisaeng named Unsim from Miryang city during the reign of the Joseon Dynasty in the 18th century. The dance is characterised by two dancers holding a pair of swords in each hand, and designed to bless Korea with peace. Kim Eun Hee restored this dance to the forefront of modern day Korean traditional dance in 1988.
Heung Dance
This is meant to be a type of dance improvisation demonstrating how the dancers are overwhelmed with merriment. It has since been developed for stage performance and the dance sequence was set in the 19th century.
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Sogo Dance
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This is a small drum dance that evolved from Korean folk dances, specifically, farm music. This arrangement is a remake by Choi Jong Shil (a renown Korean traditional dancer), which has a more dynamic range of movement and delivers a more colourful composition. Our performance today has been adapted further by Kim Eun Hee.
M1 OPEN STAGE 2017 - "Silentium" - PRIZE WINNER
"Silentium"
Son Yu Joung was the lead choreographer, in partnership with an accomplished international contemporary artist, Choi Young Hyun, to contribute a stunning piece entitled "Silentium".
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"The deepest feeling always shows itself in silence. It may be the soundlessness after a long battle with oneself, or turning a blind eye to oneself."
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Silentium was very well received by the audience during the night, where both Young Hyun and Yu Joung were complimented with a rousing ovation during the closing. A dance director from a local dance company was so thoroughly impressed with the concept and execution, that he felt he couldn't wait to discuss it in more depth with his dance company.
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At the conclusion of the festival on Saturday, 3 June, Silentium was amongst a handful of pieces that were awarded invitations to perform in select international fringe festivals.
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The FiveLines Editorial Review called Silentium "cutting-edge".
ASIAN CIVILISATION MUSEUM - MARCH 2017
Sogo Dance
Son Yu Joung and Yeon Hye Jin performed a duet Sogo dance at the river side entrance to the Asian Civilisation Museum (March 2017), which features the traditional Korean small drum dance.
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The Sogo Dance constitutes one of the Korean folk dances and has evolved from traditional farm music. This arrangement is a remake by Choi Jong Sil, which has by far, a more dynamic range of movement and hence, delivers a more colourful composition.