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 Home >> Attractions >> Tradition art
Talchum- The Wisdom to Overcome Reality

Koreans are people who are full of excitement and when they are having fun they dance naturally, moving their shoulders. There are many kinds of Korean traditional dance, and Talchum is one of them. Talchum, which is a dance performed while wearing a mask and singing, is said to contain the wisdom to overcome one¡¯s tired reality for a while.
The History of Talchum

Korean ancestors lived an unfair life where some people ruled and other people were ruled over. The people who were ruled enjoyed themselves by criticizing the higher classes in the lyrics of the Talchum. Especially since the people were not punished for expressing their gripes in this form. They were free at least when they were doing the Talchum. They criticized the hierarchial society, the apostate monks, and the violence of the men, etc. The main characters in Talchum are the high class, monks, slaves who make fun of the nobilities, and shamans, etc. The main Talchum that have been passed on to the present are the Songpa Sandaenori, Yangju Byeolsan Daenori, Bongsan Talchum, Gangnyeong Talchum, Goseong Ogandae, and Hahoebyeol Shingutnori.

Representative Talchum

There are about 13 Talchum that have been passed on until today. Bongsan Talchum and   Songpa   Talchum are the most famous ones. Songpa Talchum was handed down from the Songpa area of Seoul though the Gyeong-gi area. Songpa Talchum was completed about 200 years ago and at that time it was performed on special occasions such as the Jeongwol Daeboreum, Dano, and Chuseok. Bongsan Talchum was passed down from the Haeseo area and was performed in May. Talchum is an important Korean cultural inheritance for it includes the thought of the people of the time and depicts reality truthfully. The most attractive part of Talchum is that the characters and the audiences become one during a performance.
Korean Masks

The masks not only show the Korean expressions and appearances well, but also express the individuality of the characters well. The carving of the Seonbi, Yangban, bride, monk, and Baekjeong of the Hahoe masks are masterpieces. Tourists like the masks as souvenirs, because they express Korean feelings well.

Where You can See All Kinds of Masks-The National Folk Museum Exhibitional Hall No. 3

How to get there Take the exit no 5 after getting off at the line 3 Gyeongbok-gung Station, exit 1 at the Anguk Station, exit 2 at the Gwanghwamun Station
From Gimpo Airport Take line 5 and get off at the Gwanghwamun Station, get off at the Koreana Hotel when using the airport shuttle bus, get off at the Donghwa Duty-Free Shop when taking the bus no. 63 or 1002
Tel 02-734-1346 / 02-720-3137
29-07-2001
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