무용역사기록학회

The purpose of this study was to investigate the various aspects of the traditional Korean dance at the Pyeongyang Gisaeng School and the ways that their culture was transmitted through their activities. There is no doubt that the perceptions of Gisaeng have been negative or narrow-minded. Furthermore, Gisaeng has become a symbolic image of sexuality, and the narrow-minded stereotype of Gisaeng still remains today. However, there exists counter-discourse that enables a re-conceptualization of Gisaeng as the symbol of a cultural archetype. It is also necessary to assess them as the pioneers of modern culture creation. The Pyeongyang Gisaeng School, in particular, produced many entertainers in the early modern days through a stable and sustainable educational system. The school provided whole person education based on its systematic process and content to produce a host of entertainers instead of limiting its scope only to art. Dance education was allocated to the upper grades so that the students could take on the practice of dance after equipping themselves with the basics including music. I The school also embraced contemporary art in its education according to the flow of the times rather than remaining at the level of the tradition. This foundation of the school contributed to the big number of Gisaengs from Pyeongyang recorded in Yedanilbaekin and Joseon Mi-In Bogam and the popularity they enjoyed among the public through their various performance activities.