This book is a study of Salpuri-Chum, a traditional Korean dance for expelling evil spirits. The authors explore the origins and practice of Salpuri-Chum. The ancient Korean people viewed their misfortunes as coming from evil spirits; therefore, they wanted to expel the evil spirits to recover their happiness. The music for Salpuri-Chum is called Sinawi rhythm. It has no sheet music and lacks the concept of metronomic technique. In this rhythm, the dancer becomes a conductor. Salpuri-Chum is an artistic performance that resolves the people's sorrow. In many cases, it is a form of sublimation. It is also an effort to transform the pain of reality into beauty, based on the Korean people's characteristic merriment. It presents itself, then, as a form of immanence. Moreover, Salpuri-Chum is unique in its use of a piece of white fabric. The fabric, as a symbol of the Korean people's ego ideal, signifies Salpuri-Chum's focus as a dance for resolving their misfortunes.

About the Author
Eun-Joo Lee is Living Cultural Treasure of Seoul Special City (No. 46) in the Field of Salpuri Chum. Professor, Incheon National University in Korea Yong-Shin Kim is Chair Professor, Korea International Culture University of Graduate in Korea. Dr. Kim received a Ph.D. from University of Maryland in U.S.A.


Book Information
ISBN 9780761868873
Author Eun-Joo Lee
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Hamilton Books
Publisher University Press of America
Weight(grams) 213g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 151mm * 9mm