Seoul dance troupe's contemporary take on shamanic rituals
Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre’s new work, “Gut: Whispering Steps,” turned little-known shamanic rituals in Korea into a contemporary meditation on suffering, pain and the difficult work of saving oneself. Known as "gut," shamanic ritual was a communication tool between the living and the deceased. A shaman served as a helper in the communication. Usually, descendants sought health, luck and…
Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre's contemporary dance piece, "Gut: Whispering Steps," reimagines traditional shamanic rituals from Korea as a meditation on human suffering and the struggle to achieve inner peace and liberation. Shamanic ritual, known as "gut," served as a bridge between the living and the deceased, with descendants often seeking help from ancestors for health, fortune, and a life free from suffering.
In Seoul and surrounding areas, the "mugamseogi" variation allows clients to dress as shamans and express themselves through spontaneous dance.
The inspiration for this dance production came from the idea that blessings are not simply handed to those who wait for them. Instead, they must be actively pursued through one's body and will, leading to the exploration of pain, memories, healing, and liberation of the human experience. Created by Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre's artistic director Yun Hea-joung, "Gut: Whispering Steps" unfolds these themes through five variations of tears, each connected to the five cardinal colors in Korean tradition: obangsaek.
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- Seoul dance troupe's contemporary take on shamanic rituals koreatimes.co.kr
