Tribute Concert Marks 10th Anniversary of Master Dancer Lee Mae-bang
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
A large-scale tribute concert, “I Am Lee Mae-bang,” was held on Sept. 9–10 at Seoul’s Sejong Center to mark the 10th anniversary of famed traditional Korean dancer Lee Mae-bang (1927–2015). Regarded as a pillar of Korean dance, Lee preserved and elevated forms like seungmu (Buddhist victory dance) and salpuri (exorcism/spirit-clearing dance) to international standards. Following a July event in his hometown Mokpo, 226 performers including students and successors performed his signature works such as seungmu, salpuri, ipchum (entrance dance), geommu (sword dance), samgomu, ogomu, chilgomu, janggeommu (long-sword dance), daegam nori (nobleman’s play), seungcheonmu (ascension dance) and sapung jeonggam. Notable appearances included Lee’s wife Kim Myung-ja (seungmu/salpuri instructor), his daughter Lee Hyun-ju, designated holders and masters from various lineages, and senior artists like kim duk-soo (samulnori) and choi jong-sil (sogo drum dance). The organizing Wubong Lee Mae-bang Art Company said the event showcased disciples embodying the teacher’s lifelong lessons.
