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)
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
December 03, 2025
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
December 03, 2025
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The DPRK provides all conditions and environment necessary to respect the personality of the persons with disabilities and help
December 03, 2025
The DPRK provides all conditions and environment necessary to respect the personality of the persons with disabilities and help
Saja Falls flows down the Chilsong Valley of Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK. With a drop of 12.7m, the waterfall
December 03, 2025
Saja Falls flows down the Chilsong Valley of Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK. With a drop of 12.7m, the waterfall
Fairyland villages have been built at the Jangsan Farm of Ryongchon County and the Pihwa Farm of Chonma County in North Phyongan
December 03, 2025
Fairyland villages have been built at the Jangsan Farm of Ryongchon County and the Pihwa Farm of Chonma County in North Phyongan
The Lao embassy in the DPRK hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on December 1 on the occasion of the 50th
December 03, 2025
The Lao embassy in the DPRK hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on December 1 on the occasion of the 50th
Among Korean cultural heritage is a technique of making paints used to decorate and protect the wooden buildings. Such practice is
December 03, 2025
Among Korean cultural heritage is a technique of making paints used to decorate and protect the wooden buildings. Such practice is
New houses have been built at the Mangum Greenhouse Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the Yonyu
December 02, 2025
New houses have been built at the Mangum Greenhouse Farm of the North Hwanghae Provincial Rural Economy Committee and the Yonyu
Children in the DPRK are growing up healthily, enjoying tasty and nutritious dairy products provided by the government every day.
December 01, 2025
Children in the DPRK are growing up healthily, enjoying tasty and nutritious dairy products provided by the government every day.
The Saesol Farm in Munchon City and the Roun Farm in Chonnae County, Kangwon Province, the DPRK, have undergone big changes beyond
December 01, 2025
The Saesol Farm in Munchon City and the Roun Farm in Chonnae County, Kangwon Province, the DPRK, have undergone big changes beyond
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District, both
November 30, 2025
New houses have been built at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District, both
The newly-built Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Footwear Factory and the remodelled Pyongyang School Uniform Factory were inaugurated.T
November 30, 2025
The newly-built Pyongyang Schoolchildren’s Footwear Factory and the remodelled Pyongyang School Uniform Factory were inaugurated.T
The above-ground construction of the Tanchon port has been successfully completed in the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
November 29, 2025
The above-ground construction of the Tanchon port has been successfully completed in the DPRK. The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un
A friendly match between the national women’s soccer teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 27
November 29, 2025
A friendly match between the national women’s soccer teams of the DPRK and Russia took place at Kim Il Sung Stadium on November 27
Jonjin Senior Middle School, newly built as a comprehensive school in Rangnang District, Pyongyang Municipality, was inaugurated.
November 29, 2025
Jonjin Senior Middle School, newly built as a comprehensive school in Rangnang District, Pyongyang Municipality, was inaugurated.
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province of the DPRK enjoy
November 29, 2025
The agricultural workers in Kumbu-ri of Sakju County and Tanghu-ri of Phihyon County in North Phyongan Province of the DPRK enjoy
The scientists of the Academy of Agricultural Science have newly established a regenerated rice cultivation technology. The new
November 28, 2025
The scientists of the Academy of Agricultural Science have newly established a regenerated rice cultivation technology. The new
Last month a light-industry goods exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” was held in Pyongyang. A wide list of goods
November 28, 2025
Last month a light-industry goods exhibition “Development of Light Industry-2025” was held in Pyongyang. A wide list of goods
Professor Pak Hyong Sop, PhD, is credited with teaching and studying the traditional Korean music. The candidate academician works
November 28, 2025
Professor Pak Hyong Sop, PhD, is credited with teaching and studying the traditional Korean music. The candidate academician works
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have been spruced up one after another in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK under the care
November 28, 2025
Proud entities of rural rejuvenation have been spruced up one after another in North Hamgyong Province of the DPRK under the care
More Articles
