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An Investigation into North Korean Refugee's Performing Arts Company in South Korea in terms of Sociocultural Identities and Values

Na Kyung-Ah 1,  Seok Jin Han 2

1한국예술종합학교
2영국 서리대학교

Candidate

ABSTRACT

This study mainly focuses on understanding a dance event within social and cultural contexts rather than describing formal structures and movements within a dance, and then examines how its meanings or values in the contexts are revealed and exposed through performances, especially dancing. The paper begins with two academics questions about North Korean refugee's performances in South Korea: What is a cultural identity of North Korean refugee's performing arts company in the society? What kinds of sociocultural values does the company have? The social context of the company is closely relative to an influx of North Korean refugees into South Korea and a process of their adaption to new circumstances. On the other hands, the cultural context of the company is linked to performance exchanges between the South and the North for cultural unification. Therefore, in order to resolve the above two questions, previously written material about the social position of North Korean refugees as well as the past performing arts exchanges between the South and the North are explored. Moreover, ‘Pyeongyang Performing Arts Company' is selected as a case study to gather detailed sources of its specific repertoire and to have interviews with performers or officers of the company. By analysing collected information, firstly, it is shown that the cultural identity of North Korean refugee's performing arts company is distinct from a domestic company in North Korea since the former has a hybrid identity where North culture conflicts with, interact with, and assimilate into South culture. This hybrid identity can be illustrated not only from folk dances as main repertoire but also Korean dancer joining in the company. Secondly, to participate in North Korean refugee's performing arts company leads to earn money, to form a social community with other refugees, and to get involved in the mainstream of the society. As well as social values of the company for the refugees, the company's own hybrid cultural identity suggests an ideal way to recognize heterogeneities between South and North culture, appreciate the other side, and coexist together.

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