Jeongjae Dances of the Korean Royal Court Young Suk Kim Artistic Director, The Society for Research of Jeongjae

Heonseondo from Jeongjae, In Search of the Origins of Court Dance , a regular performance by the Korean National Gugak Center Dance Theater, 2004 © Korean National Gugak Center Windows to ICH

ne category of Korean royal court is jeongjae , which is performed at banquets. Etymologically, jeongjea is O derived from two words, jeong meaning ‘to o!er to a superior’ and jae meaning ‘talent in the arts’. "us, jeongjae means to o!er one’s talent in the arts to a superior, through music, song, and dance. Fi#y-three types of jeongjae were passed down to the late dynasty ($%&)–$&$*). Of these, Geommu (Sword Dance) and Cheoyongmu have the longest histories, originating during the Silla Kingdom (/0–&%/ CE). Geommu is based on the story of Hwang Changnang.  As a court dance of the late Joseon dynasty, it was performed by female dancers dressed in sleeveless vests and military hats, holding swords in both hands. It features an impressive move called yeonpungdae , which resembles a swallow spinning and creates gusts of wind. Cheoyongmu has origins in the Cheoyong legend. It was performed from the early Joseon dynasty by 1ve danc- ers, each dressed in one of the 1ve cardinal colors of (obang )—blue, red, yellow, black, and white, representing east, south, center, north, and west, respectively. "e dancers also wear red masks adorned with peaches to ward o! misfortune. Accompanied by “Cheoyong’ga” (“Cheoyong’s Song”), the Chun'aengjeon from a regular Saturday performance by the Korean performance expresses the warding o! of evil and welcoming National Gugak Center, 2006 © Korean National Gugak Center of fortuitous events. Jeongjae is further classi1ed into dang’ak jeongjae and hyang’ak jeongjae . Dang’ak jeongjae, which includes a variety of dances, was brought to under King Munjong from the Song. Heonseondo , one of the dang’ak jeongjae dances, depicts the heavenly mother descending from the Bongnae’ui was created under King Sejong of Joseon, divine world at a party on the 1rst full moon of the lunar New performed to the song “Yongbi’eocheon’ga,” which compares Year to present the king with a peach of immortality, borne the founders of Joseon to six dragons, praising their literary once in a thousand years. Dang’ak jeongjae dances feature and military accomplishments. It also features jukganja jukganja ! bearers that guide the dancers at the beginning and bong’wi’ui. Also notable are the Chun’aengjeon and and end. Under King Taejo ($%&)–$%&2), a dance called Musanhyang , created by Crown Prince Hyomyeong under Mong’geumcheok ( Dream of the Golden Ruler ) was created to King Seonjo ($2*$–$2%4). A song with lyrics celebrating his legitimize the establishment of Joseon in the place of Goryeo. mother’s fortieth birthday accompanies Chun’aengjeon, which It is performed to a song about Taejo’s dream, in which he was depicts a nightingale singing on a willow starting to bloom in presented with a golden ruler by a deity who wanted him to early spring. "e dancer wears a hwangchosam with wide yel- create a new dynasty. low sleeves to symbolize the nightingale, 1tted with colorful Hyang’ak jeongjae dances originated in Goryeo. Mugo , osaek hansam on the ends of the sleeves. "e head is adorned a hyang’ak jeongjae dance, is performed around a drum with a 3oral crown. It is an understated dance, performed on a that was originally made of dri#wood found by Lee Hon in six-foot 3ower-patterned mat ( hwamunseok ). Yeonghae under King Chungryeol of Goryeo. "e dance is Royal banquets were classi1ed as oe’yeon (external ban- mysterious, resembling two dragons 1ghting for the yeouiju quets) and naeyeon (internal banquets). "e former were held orb or a pair of butter3ies 3itting about a 3ower. for the king and attended by male o5cials and the crown prince while the latter were held for the queen, queen mother, and grandmother and attended by the crown princess and 1. Hwang Changnang, a seven-year-old boy, was famous for his sword ladies of the court. As the palace had strict rules about the dance. Invited to perform the dance in front of the King of Baekje, the boy separation of the sexes, the jeongjae were performed by boy took the opportunity to assassinate the king. dancers at the oe’yeon, and by female dancers at the naeyeon. 2. According to legend, Cheoyong was the son of the East Sea Dragon "e music was sometimes performed by blind musicians. „ King. After a pox spirit entered his wife’s bed, Cheoyong warded o the spirit with song and dance. 3. A red wooden stick adorned with woven bamboo strands and crystal orbs on the top. It is used to give the dancers stage directions. ichcourier.ichcap.org VOLUME 30 ICH COURIER 21