culture

Folk dance “Trio Dance”, registered as national intangible cultural heritage element No. 143, was originally played by members of sadangphae, professional folk art troupes in the period of the feudal Joson dynasty.

Those who lived on dancing and singing in the courtyards of people’s houses were called sadang during the period. They danced impromptu pieces with great skills to suit the occasions.

They danced to the tune of songs in various formations.

Their dances exerted a certain influence upon artistic representation and development of mask dances and peasant dances in different parts of Korea and were revised as a short dance piece for performance on stage after the country’s liberation (August 15 1945) from the military rule by the Japanese imperialists.

“Trio Dance” is a folk dance piece revised to meet modern aesthetic tastes based on excellent dance movements of sadangphae in the Pyongyang area.

It is performed by two male and one female dancers. The performers swing arms and take steps charmingly and briskly while using fans to add zest to the dance, and also display technical skills.

Its joyful and energetic dance performance arouses a romantic and optimistic feeling among the people.