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)
So far this year, a number of construction projects contributing to promoting economic construction and improving people’s
February 22, 2026
So far this year, a number of construction projects contributing to promoting economic construction and improving people’s
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Lao
February 22, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Lao
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the
February 22, 2026
The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam sent a congratulatory message to the Ninth Congress of the Workers’
February 22, 2026
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam sent a congratulatory message to the Ninth Congress of the Workers’
For the past 10-odd years the DPRK has built a number of modern healthcare facilities conducive to protecting people’s lives and
February 21, 2026
For the past 10-odd years the DPRK has built a number of modern healthcare facilities conducive to protecting people’s lives and
The Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party sent
February 21, 2026
The Central Committee of the Korean Social Democratic Party and the Central Committee of the Chondoist Chongu Party sent
February 21 is the International Mother Language Day. Mother tongue is the language that the people of a country concerned use as
February 21, 2026
February 21 is the International Mother Language Day. Mother tongue is the language that the people of a country concerned use as
The Phyongchon Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory works to develop new products so as to increase the production of highly
February 21, 2026
The Phyongchon Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory works to develop new products so as to increase the production of highly
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
February 21, 2026
Kim Jong Un , general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Communist
February 21, 2026
The Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea received a congratulatory message from the Central Committee of the Communist
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China visiting the homeland on the occasion of the Ninth Congress
February 20, 2026
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China visiting the homeland on the occasion of the Ninth Congress
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on
February 20, 2026
A congratulatory group of the General Association of Koreans in China led by Chairwoman Choe Un Bok arrived in Pyongyang on
Industrial design exhibitions for celebrating February 16 on the theme of “New era of regional transformation and industrial
February 20, 2026
Industrial design exhibitions for celebrating February 16 on the theme of “New era of regional transformation and industrial
On February 1 the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm was inaugurated. The large-scale greenhouse farm, the fourth of its kind among
February 20, 2026
On February 1 the Sinuiju Combined Greenhouse Farm was inaugurated. The large-scale greenhouse farm, the fourth of its kind among
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 closed in the DPRK. The festival performances were given at theatres a
February 20, 2026
The Third People’s Art Festival for Celebrating February 16 closed in the DPRK. The festival performances were given at theatres a
In the DPRK any construction project is completed in the year of its groundbreaking. At this new speed of construction a large
February 20, 2026
In the DPRK any construction project is completed in the year of its groundbreaking. At this new speed of construction a large
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp was inaugurated with due ceremony on January 20. The holiday camp built in a scenic
February 19, 2026
The Onpho Working People’s Holiday Camp was inaugurated with due ceremony on January 20. The holiday camp built in a scenic
The DPRK regards education as the most important state affair and takes all necessary measures to improve educational conditions
February 19, 2026
The DPRK regards education as the most important state affair and takes all necessary measures to improve educational conditions
All the people across the country joyfully celebrated lunar New Year’s Day.Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the
February 19, 2026
All the people across the country joyfully celebrated lunar New Year’s Day.Many people visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the
During their military occupation of Korea the Japanese imperialists conducted a “survey” of books inspiring patriotic spirit
February 19, 2026
During their military occupation of Korea the Japanese imperialists conducted a “survey” of books inspiring patriotic spirit
More Articles
