Outdoor Performances of Pyeongtaek Folk Songs [PIEF Foreign Reporter]

 

The seating area in front of the Art Museum

In between the shore of Pyeongtaek lake and an art museum is a large green lawn that sets the perfect stage for an afternoon of music and celebration. Saturdays at 1400 from May to November you have the chance to take part in a traditional Korean Folk Festival, and I suggest you take it! 

With free admission and a delightful one hour show, your weekend can be enlightened by learning more about the ancient customs of our Korean neighbors. After finding a stool under the canopied seating area you will be treated to a show that is presented in three parts. 

Fan dances from ancient farming communities

First, fan dancers and drummers will showcase the songs found in traditional farming communities while wearing colorful ancestral garments. Second, the rituals of the fisherman will be shown with equally stunning costumes. And finally, you will get to witness an emotional and powerful demonstration of a funeral procession as it would have occurred years ago. 

An ancient funeral procession with colorful flags

A decorative coffin based off ancient practices

In between these three acts the friendly master of ceremonies plays guessing games with the crowd and even leads the children in a racing game. The winners of these challenges receive a small hand woven basket of boiled eggs. They were very welcoming to my young daughter and let her race with the other kids and even win her own basket of eggs.

Winning a basket of eggs

All of the dialogue and singing is in Korean and so it may be helpful to bring along a Korean speaking friend to translate. But, the chanting and musicality which makes up most of the performance can be understood by anyone, no matter their native language. The microphones and speakers add to the theatricality of the show and really make the whole show very entertaining. 

 

The complimentary fan and pamphlets at the entrance provide a lot of information about the performance and the organization that sponsors it: Pyeongtaek Folk Song Preservation Society. It is a great experience for people of all ages and Korean language ability.

Posing with one of the performers

A pamphlet with the date and times of all the summer shows

There is parking at the Pyeongtaek Drive in Theater and admission is free. Open to the public.

This article is written by Hadley Holyoak a PIEF Foreign Reporter