This study considers methods develop a ballet educator training program that can improve ballet education in South Korea, where technique-focused training leads to physical and mental injuries and lack of artistry. A training program model is developed for ballet educators based on the philosophy of somatic dance/movement education, which integrates dimensions of body, mind, and spirit. The framework of the program was formulated by exploring the educational goals and principles of ISMETA, as well as factors such as ‘knowledge’, ‘autonomy’, and ‘peer networks’, presented in the international survey on education, TALIS. Then, we compared and analyzed domestic and international ballet educator training programs to select essential elements based upon the aforementioned three aspects. We made detailed programs such as ‘somatic dance/movement theory, movement anatomy and physiological dynamics, movement analysis, somatic ballet teaching method, dance education theory, and developmental psychology’ for the knowledge factor, ‘reflective practice’ for the autonomy, and finally ‘pedagogic workshop’ for the peer networks.

The purpose of this study is to better understand how Z-generation dance majors respond to different types of dance professors. We surveyed 252 graduates of higher education institutions using independent sample T-tests and one-way ANOVA. Then we analyzed the data to determine whether differences can be observed in a statistically significant way according to the general characteristics of respondents. There was a difference in preference for types of dance professors according to respondents’ age and major. According to our study, Z-generation dance major students prefer to receive education from professors with self-directed and democratic approaches to learning. Consequently, it was concluded that university education requires democratic changes in order for students to be able to participate in decision-making. The results of this study are expected to contribute to improving the effectiveness of dance education, as well as directing future higher education.

This study explored the case of creating and performing “Suncheon Bird Flower Dance: Hooded Crane Meets Flower” by adapting the story of a hooded crane in Suncheon. The researchers obtained the following results by collecting and qualitatively analyzing choreography notes, photos, videos, memos, dialogues and performance pamphlets from August to November 2021. First, from the point of view of ecological art, we carried out choreography work for flower dance and hooded crane gestures based on sympathetic movements. Second, it revealed the convergent aspects of performance characteristics especially by using the photos of the hooded cranes in accordance with the live music performance for the scenery of Suncheon Bay and adopting a tea ceremony performance. Third, to implement the proposed creative crane dance, this case showed the transformation process of traditional Hakyeonhwadaemu in the scenes where the hooded crane meets and hangs out with a flower girl (woman) who is blooming and becoming a lotus flower.

This study explores the primary issues in international performing arts exchange in the post-COVID-19 era. In our in-depth interviews with dance artists, each with over eight years of experience in international exchange before and after the pandemic, we witnessed the challenges and opportunities posed by the current pandemic situation. We used phenomenological methods to analyze the interview data. Our analysis revealed four problems: (1) the gap between live performance and recorded online performance; (2) the lack of equitable collaboration between artists and arts administrators; (3) the lack of diverse approaches and forms of support; and (4) the increase in barriers to international performing arts exchange. Our findings suggest countermeasures, such as: (1) balanced support both for live performance and online performance; (2) more flexible communication between artists and administrators; (3) adoption of more diverse and creative modes of international exchange; and (4) provision of training and education to promote artists’ access to and mobility in international artistic exchange.

The purpose of this study is to examine the historical background and culture of the four ethnic groups, namely, Mongolian, Uyghur, Tibetan, and Korean-Chinese, and to derive cultural characteristics of their folk dances by examining how their ethnic culture has been embodied in the dances. In China, a multiethnic, multicultural country with 56 ethnic groups, dances performed in each ethnic group is part of life formed based on the cultural and geographical background of the group, and the contents, form, rhythm, and style of the dances were all formed and inherited in various ways due to differences in lifestyle and religious culture. Among those ethnic groups, Mongolian, Uyghur, Tibetan, and Korean-Chinese are the most localized ethnic minorities distributed around China's borders, and their folk dances have spread nationwide faster than those of any other ethnic groups. In order to promote the preservation and development of civil folk dances, it is necessary to examine the folk dances that are currently being preserved and developed and understand their cultural characteristics. By examining these characteristics, this study seeks to contribute to accurate perception of civil folk dances and to their preservation and development.

The purpose of this research is to confirm the value of the New Folk Song Dance in the history of modern Korean dance. Based on literature review and video analysis, this research investigates the characteristics of the New Folk Song Dance by analyzing the dance movements of ‘Cheonan Samgeoli’, ‘Nillilia’, and ‘Cheonyo Chonggak’ in cultural films reproduced under the direction of the Society for Dance Documentation and History. Based on the dance analysis theory of Janet Adshead, the characteristics and values of New Folk Song Dance were explored by analyzing the components of dance (movement, dancer, visual and auditory environment) and the nature of dance (genre and style). The result of this research shows that the New Folk Song Dance has the characteristics of cultural expressions of modern dance through which we can enjoy occidental music as well as traditional one. The dance is composed of simple and repetitive movements as well as a variety of formation, which makes it very easy for the public to learn. This allows us to confirm the value of the New Folk Song Dance as another type of modern dance heritage, ultimately leading us to redefine the perspective of modern dance culture.

This study aims at reevaluating the artistic realism of Choi Seung-hee’s works not only in her full-length dramatic dances after her defection to North Korea but also in her early modern dances with the theme of social participation. The kind of realism that she had pioneered in dance field in 1930 continued into her proletarian dance but discontinued between 1933-1945 due to severe criticism from home and abroad. This study ascribes the undervaluation of her activities in this period to the male mainstream perspective of the society and the decline of proletarian literature. f After her defection to North Korea, Choi’s proletarian dance developed into full-length dramatic dance, which can be referred to as the stage of her completion of socialist realism. The full-length dramatic dance has great meaning in the Korean dance history in that: first, it elevated “dance as art” to a higher level; second, it held a feminist perspective; and third, it achieved a high degree of completion in terms of choreography. Henceforth, Choi Seung-hee’s activities as a pioneering realist dancer in Korea deserves reevaluation in the Korean dance history.

This paper investigated the theme ‘creation’ with the focus on the Korean traditional dances. At first, the problems in the creation of existing Korean dances were analyzed. Through the analysis, the creative factors lacking in individual characteristics were presented and the introduction of the western-oriented concept of creation was critically examined. On the basis of the awareness on the difference of artistic concept between eastern and western world, the concept of creation was discussed in the transmission history of dances. Next, the frame of reference for the creation of the traditional dance was presented. It includes the formation of lines and surfaces through principle of circulation, the formation of dance styles based on the traditional breath method, the approach to interpret rhythms and the application of steps. In conclusion, the events inducing the creation of traditional dances were identified and presented in the ancient literature.

In studying dance history of Korea, diverse patterns of dance are discovered in murals, historical remains, and royal rites. Then, how should dances contained in visual materials be understood? This study aims to examine the method of analyzing dance depicted in paintings to research the history of dance. To that end, Panofsky’s iconological method, used in researching the history of fine art, was used to examine dances depicted in murals. Research was conducted in the following procedure. First, the concept and principle of iconology, focused on the historical background of iconography and iconology, were reviewed, and recent iconological arguments were examined. Second, how to apply the iconological method to dance was discussed. Third, through Panofsky’s iconological gradual analysis method, the iconography of the right-hand mural in Goguryeo Jangcheon No. 1 Tomb’s Anterior Chamber was described and analyzed to define its meaning. The findings of this study are outlined as follows. According to previous iconological description, the iconography of dance depicted in the right-hand mural in Jangcheon No. 1 Tomb’s Anterior Chamber features a Goguryeo person performing both-arm dance and lotus dance to the accompaniment of a string instrument. According to the iconological analysis, the dancer performs Buddhist-faith funeral dance. Such ritual dance contains the cult of wishing the dead person’s soul will well reach the nether world, as well as the wish that the dead person will lead a happy life in the nether world. According to the iconological interpretation, Goguryeo sleeve dance changed and developed into today’s Hansam, Jangsam and other diverse sleeve dances. Goguryeo dance contains the essential life meaning, and although the themes and concepts of dance may vary according to times and works, all dances are the expression of life and the heart of wishing for a good life; thus, the life, the essence of Goguryeo, was analyzed as the universal essence and inherent meaning of Korean dance. This study is significant in that it prepared a framework to research dances depicted in paintings, and proved that iconology can contribute to diverse analyses in researching the history of dance. Iconological research on dances illustrated in visual materials is expected to continue.

Dance education has the potential to improve the spirit, because of the essential of dance which requires the participation of whole mind such as the creative, emotional, moral, spiritual. Exploring the theoric and experiential grounds about dance and mind and heart education, this study is to guess the possibility of mind and heart education through the dance, and suggest the definite data. What dance contribute to mind and heart education are divided into four aspects: the intellectual, the emotional, the moral, and spiritual. First, dance can help one improve the creativity. For this, it is important to provide the chances of movement study, and use various sources and mediums. Second, dance can help one cultivate the emotion and sensibility. For this, it is important to help practice the movements, and recommend various indirect experiences. Third, dance can help one cultivate the personal and social virtue. For this, it is important to promote cooperative learning, and praise and encourage. Fourth, dance can help one improve flow, happiness, and self-realization. For this, it is important to take the lead, and recommend various indirect experiences. However, researches about its content and method are all yet to be inadequate. To rectify, theoric discussion in depth, developing practical teaching model and programmes, practice in various educational settings are needed.