Korean Dance Research Institute under the Phibada Opera Troupe was first established in 1946 as the Choe Sung Hui Dance Studio.
It has a long history of studying and developing excellent traditions of the national dance and thus has left an outstanding mark in the development of the Korean national dance by scientifically formulating the theories and practical issues arising in discovering and preserving folk dance movements.
Choe Sung Hui, the first head of the studio, contributed greatly to modernizing the Korean national dance. She selected and defined gracious movements of strong national mood through a close study of the folk dance, and based on is published a book, titled, Fundamentals of the Traditional Korean Dances , in 1937.
The book which provided the theoretical basis for creating dances by sustaining diverse and rich Korean rhythmic patterns was greatly favoured by dancers.
The institute commenced the research into a new dance notation in 1972.
At that time Labanotation and other dance notations were in vogue worldwide, but as they were not versatile for the movements of all rhythmic patterns, they were not widely applicable to practice.
Researchers of the institute conducted persevering efforts for over a decade to develop a new dance notation for recording all representational elements based on the rhythmic movements of human, and made public the Korean-style alphabetical dance notation in 1987.
The new dance notation was highly appreciated for its scientific accuracy and practicability at the tenth session of the international dance council held in Pyongyang in September 1992.
The institute developed Paekhak , a dance score editing program, and put the writing and editing of dance scores on an IT footing.
At present it is actively conducting the work to thoroughly discover folk dance patterns with local peculiarities, preserve and develop them as suited to the modern aesthetic sentiments.
A strenuous effort is also given to the development of new branches of cross-disciplinary sciences, combining dance with psychology, aesthetics, pedagogics and other branches.
Nam Su Hyang, a researcher of the institute, says with confidence that the institute will step up its efforts to sustain and develop the tradition of graceful and beautiful Korean dance.
Om Hyang Sim
More From Naenara (En)
Military-civilian meetings took place in South Phyongan, North Hwanghae, Jagang, South Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces and Rason
March 06, 2026
Military-civilian meetings took place in South Phyongan, North Hwanghae, Jagang, South Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces and Rason
There is a scenic spot called Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo, part of Mt Chilbo, which boasts a spectacular seaside landscape.One of the b
March 06, 2026
There is a scenic spot called Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo, part of Mt Chilbo, which boasts a spectacular seaside landscape.One of the b
An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the
March 06, 2026
An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the
In the DPRK tourism industry helps promote cultural efflorescence and development in relevant regions. It is of long-term
March 06, 2026
In the DPRK tourism industry helps promote cultural efflorescence and development in relevant regions. It is of long-term
The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on
March 05, 2026
The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on
The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the
March 05, 2026
The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the
Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the
March 05, 2026
Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the
On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as
March 05, 2026
On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as
The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The
March 05, 2026
The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The
Jo Jin Mi of the DPRK bagged a bronze medal in the diving women’s 10-metre platform event at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup
March 04, 2026
Jo Jin Mi of the DPRK bagged a bronze medal in the diving women’s 10-metre platform event at the World Aquatics Diving World Cup
Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for
March 04, 2026
Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for
A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
March 04, 2026
A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the
In March the air of spring is distinctly felt all over in the DPRK. The month has Kyongchip and Chunbun , two of the 24 seasonal
March 04, 2026
In March the air of spring is distinctly felt all over in the DPRK. The month has Kyongchip and Chunbun , two of the 24 seasonal
DPRK players Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mi Hwa bagged silver medals in the diving women’s 10-metre synchronized platform event at the
March 03, 2026
DPRK players Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mi Hwa bagged silver medals in the diving women’s 10-metre synchronized platform event at the
March 3 is World Wildlife Day (WWD). In December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, March 3 was
March 03, 2026
March 3 is World Wildlife Day (WWD). In December 2013 at the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, March 3 was
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
March 03, 2026
Paektu is the highest mountain in the DPRK, rising 2 750m above sea level in the northern part of Samjiyon City, Ryanggang
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
March 02, 2026
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK issued the following press statement on March 1:Israel’s military attack on Ir
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
March 02, 2026
The chief secretaries of city and county committees of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the chairpersons of city and county
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
March 01, 2026
There took place a short course for the participants in the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, the
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
March 01, 2026
A Pyongyang military-civilian meeting and a public procession took place with splendour at Kim Il Sung Square on February 27. The
More Articles
