Sadangphae is a civil art organization in the period of the feudal Joson dynasty (1392–1910) which specialized in singing and dancing with urban and rural communities as its arena of activity. The word sadangphae originated from the meaning “group of kwangdae .” In olden times there was no word paeu (actor in English) in Korea, so the entertainers were called kwangdae . Hence, sadangpae was an organization of those entertainers, and the dance performed by them was called sadang dance.
It can be said that sadangpae was formed between 15th and 16th century when the feudal culture was developing.
Its heyday was between 17th and 18th century, and the sphere of its activity covered the rural villages and towns in Phyongan, Hwanghae, Kyonggi, Chungchon, Kyongsang and Jolla provinces.
Entering the 19th century the activities of new famous phansori (a long epic song) singers emerged, and the Japanese imperialists, who occupied the country militarily in the early 20th century, started to crack down the folk events and group gatherings. This made sadangpae wander around rural areas and live on penny donated by peasants. Most of its members were artistes of farmer origin or their descendants who had gathered to seek a way to make a living amid poverty and hardships. So they suffered all sorts and humiliation and maltreatment from the feudal rulers.
As men and women lived together in one group, its internal regulation jungbop was so strict that the one who violated it was forced to be driven out of the organization. Songs and dances performed by sadangpae mainly dealt ideological feelings and aspiration of the working farmers and revealed the corruption and incompetence of the feudal rulers and the vulnerability of the feudal society.
The group made contribution to developing song and dance into one of the theatrical art based on popular songs and dances, and played some positive roles in the development of the country’s national culture and traditional virtue and excellent custom.
More From Naenara (En)
One day in last August the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Ragwon County Offshore Farm and the modern
September 17, 2025
One day in last August the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the completed Ragwon County Offshore Farm and the modern
The functional socks produced by the Pyongyang Hosiery Factory are growing in popularity. The research team of the factory newly
September 17, 2025
The functional socks produced by the Pyongyang Hosiery Factory are growing in popularity. The research team of the factory newly
New houses have been built at the Yonghung Farm in Sijung County of Jagang Province of the DPRK. The new cozy and modern houses,
September 17, 2025
New houses have been built at the Yonghung Farm in Sijung County of Jagang Province of the DPRK. The new cozy and modern houses,
The DPRK is growing stronger in the fierce confrontation between socialism and anti-socialism. The country is steering the cause
September 17, 2025
The DPRK is growing stronger in the fierce confrontation between socialism and anti-socialism. The country is steering the cause
Cultural heritage items are a pride of the Korean people and valuable wealth of the country. Recently 17 items in the DPRK have
September 17, 2025
Cultural heritage items are a pride of the Korean people and valuable wealth of the country. Recently 17 items in the DPRK have
In Korean history there are many scientists and technicians who contributed to enriching the treasure house of human culture with
September 17, 2025
In Korean history there are many scientists and technicians who contributed to enriching the treasure house of human culture with
At present climate change which brings about catastrophic weather patterns including high temperature, drought, flood, extreme
September 16, 2025
At present climate change which brings about catastrophic weather patterns including high temperature, drought, flood, extreme
True to the regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, different parts of the country are directing efforts to
September 16, 2025
True to the regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, different parts of the country are directing efforts to
The following happened in September 2013 when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hero Mu Islet-defending Unit after his
September 16, 2025
The following happened in September 2013 when the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the Hero Mu Islet-defending Unit after his
High-handed and arbitrary practices by imperialists are getting ever more outrageous in the international arena. In recent years,
September 16, 2025
High-handed and arbitrary practices by imperialists are getting ever more outrageous in the international arena. In recent years,
September 16 is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer of the atmosphere protects living
September 16, 2025
September 16 is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The ozone layer of the atmosphere protects living
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued on September 13 the
September 15, 2025
Kim Yo Jong, deputy department director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, issued on September 13 the
The fittings and fixtures produced by the building materials manufactory of the Ulmilbong Trading Company are gaining popularity.
September 15, 2025
The fittings and fixtures produced by the building materials manufactory of the Ulmilbong Trading Company are gaining popularity.
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
September 15, 2025
Pak Jong Chon, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea, on September 13 issued the
Many days have passed since the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the east coast of Korea. On the Kalma
September 15, 2025
Many days have passed since the inauguration of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area on the east coast of Korea. On the Kalma
A symposium on promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste took place in Pyongyang on August 27 under the
September 15, 2025
A symposium on promoting environmentally sound management of plastic waste took place in Pyongyang on August 27 under the
At present the earth is indiscriminately harassed by frequent spells of heatwave, drought, flood, hurricane and other extreme
September 15, 2025
At present the earth is indiscriminately harassed by frequent spells of heatwave, drought, flood, hurricane and other extreme
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
September 14, 2025
A meeting of service personnel of the Ministry of Public Security was held on the top of Mt Paektu, the sacred mountain of the
Educational units at all levels in the DPRK have applied profitable and advantageous educational aid programs to teaching
September 13, 2025
Educational units at all levels in the DPRK have applied profitable and advantageous educational aid programs to teaching
The US-led hostile forces are desperately resorting to the strengthening of the military cooperation on the assumption that
September 13, 2025
The US-led hostile forces are desperately resorting to the strengthening of the military cooperation on the assumption that
More Articles
