jeongseonmu

Jeongseonmu (정선무) is a traditional Korean dance associated with Jeongseon County in Gangwon Province. The exact origins are not well documented, but it is regarded as part of the region’s folk-performance tradition, transmitted through generations and tied to local festivals and harvest rituals.

Performance practice typically involves a small troupe, though it may be performed by a pair of dancers. Movements are deliberate and circular or linear, featuring measured stepping, turns, and coordinated arm gestures that convey rural life and seasonal change. The dance is usually performed to traditional music that centers on percussion, with drums such as the janggu (hourglass drum) and buk (barrel drum) providing the rhythmic framework; singing or chanting may accompany the movement in some performances.

Costume varies, but performers often wear garments that evoke traditional rural attire or regional dress, with an emphasis on the beauty of line and rhythm rather than theatrical flourish. Jeongseonmu is valued as part of the cultural fabric of Jeongseon and is sometimes included in regional cultural programs and performances aimed at preserving local heritage.

Because reliable historical documentation is limited, Jeongseonmu is commonly described as a living tradition rather than a fixed, single historical artifact. It continues to be studied and performed by local cultural groups, schools, and festival organizers to maintain its continuity within Korea’s broader spectrum of traditional dance.