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A Study on the Role of Dances Inherent in Korean Style Musical 「Saljagi-Opseoye」

Mijung Roh 1 CHUNG, EUI SOOK 1

1성균관대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of dances inherent in musical works through analysis of Yegrin Musical Company’s 「Saljagi-opseoye」which was first performed in 1966, positively using orignal form of advanced American musicals and combining traditional Korean dance and music, and left a landmark in Korea’s musical history. The study especially pays attention to ‘traits specific to Korea’. The study had findings as below. First, 「Saljagi-Opseoye」, using visual elements,showed typical Korean image with which any Korean could sympathize. Second,it emphasized value-laden concepts related with national identity evoking people’s pride that Korean creative musical was born based on our own materials and reflecting the country’s tradition and customs for the first time. Third, logic of the Western classic ballet by choreographer Lim Seong-nam was employed building on the country’s traditional dance, which provided basic conditions for this musical to be recognized as Korean style musical. Fourth, while the country’s traditional dance played a major role, ballet was added to the group dance and as a result hierarchical relation was formed between separated Korean dance and ballet. ‘Korean theme’, which brings its uniqueness to the forefront as such, must be very special one differentiated with other ethnic groups or states, and it can be said that such theme has been filtered through Korean’s basic characters and is related with finding of what was adopted in response to social requirements. However,while this musical was successful in deriving sympathy and pride as dance of Korean style musical, it failed to get recognition for unique characteristics of this dance. Therefore, we should go further than mere concern with how to produce high standard works well representing things Korean. The issue of how to reveal our own identity at this moment when the Western system and mode represented by ‘musical’ is normally established as an universal code, is directly related with the issue of our own identity. Under the circumstances, this study believes that success of Yegrin Musical Company’s 「Saljagi- Opseoye」can be a good example and concludes that when we analyze specific characters and causes of ‘Korean style musical’ from more objective perspective, its meaning and importance can be further expanded.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.