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“Jinju Ogwangdae,” or the Five Mask Performers’ Dance Drama of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, is being staged Sept. 19 at the 2009 Korea Traditional Performing Arts Festival, National Museum of Korea, Seoul. |
Five Mask Performers’ Dance Drama of Jinju
By Shim Hyun-chul
Staff Reporter
 Five clowns, hiding their faces behind colorful masks, dance along to the music. Their exaggerated movements are at times funny but at other times poignant, making the audience shed tears.
The performers accompany musicians who play traditional instruments such as the ``kkwaenggari'' (small metal gong), ``janggu'' (hourglass-shaped drum), ``buk'' (drum), ``jing'' (gong) ``haegeum'' (two-stringer zither) and the ``piri'' (small flute). Each clown dons different clothes, masks, sings different songs and dances corresponding to the character they play
The performers woo the audience with their South Gyeongsang Province dialect, while some even surprise them by jumping out from behind them.
The performance then escalates, bringing together both the actors and the audience in one joyful moment.
``Ogwangdae'' is a traditional mask performance enjoyed around South Gyeongsang Province. It is called the Ogwangdae because five clowns with masks dance in five acts. It is commonly known in Tongyeong, Jinju, Changwon and Goseong, but the content differs depending on the location.
The Jinju Ogwangdae is the first mask performance to be written as a script in Korea, and is normally performed to celebrate the first full moon in the lunar calendar. The dance is the main act, with dialogue and singing joining in continuously. It was handed down in Jinju as ancient folk culture, faced repression during the Japanese colonial rule, but was restored as the Jinju Mask Dance in 1998. It is now being preserved by the Jinju Ogwangdae Preservation Society and is designated as Important Intangible Cultural Asset of South Gyeongsang Province No. 27.
The mask performance is divided into five main parts: the ``Obangsinjang'' Play, Leper Play, ``Yangban'' (landed gentry) and ``Malttugi'' Play, Monk Play and the Grandmother Play. The first two plays wish for peace and happiness, while the three latter ones criticize the aristocrats and also corruption.
The Obangsinjang, which is the five gods that represent the four directions and the center, present a story about removing all the evil spirits in the land. The second play features the five gods appearing on stage, performing a dance to prevent illness and bad luck and bring prosperity and good health. The Yangban and Malttugi Play criticizes corrupt society as the smart servant Malttugi makes fun of an aristocrat and his friend, while the Monk play reminds viewers of a meaningful life by showing a monk and his journey to the dirty and corrupt life of the city. The last play covers a quarrel between a wife and her husband who fails to appreciate her love and devotion.
shim@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
