Talchum

There are around 13 different types of Talchum throughout Korea (with the majority now in modern-day South Korea). Each region uses its own unique masks and choreography to represent the movements, language, traditions, and life of Koreans. “Tal” (탈) means “mask” and “Chum” (춤) means “dance”. Today, Talchum is an important cultural symbol and it is important to understand its origins and stylistic traits. This guide explores the development of the dance-drama, looking at the structure, instruments, and masks commonly used.

Terminology

• Buk: a double-headed drum.
• Daegeum: a bamboo flute.
• Dynasty: a succession of rulers from the same family.
• Haegeum: a two-stringed fiddle.
• Janggo: a drum shaped like an hourglass.
• Josean Dynasty: 1392-1897; the final dynastic kingdom of Korea lasting for around five centuries. It was superseded by the Korean Empire.
• Piri: a cylindrical oboe made from bamboo.
• Unified Silla Dynasty: 668–935; a dynasty that unified the three kingdoms of the Korean peninsula - Silla, Paekche, and Koguryŏ.

Key Dates & Events

• 668 BCE - 935 CE - Period of the Unified Silla Dynasty.
• 1392 - 1897 - Period of the Joseon Dynasty.
• 1897 - 1910 - The Korean Empire was formed, signalling a brief period of modernization and social reforms.
• 1910 - Japan annexed the Korean Empire and Korea came under Japanese rule until 1945.
• 1948 - Following World War II, Korea was divided into the modern states of North and South Korea.
• 2020 - South Korea submitted an application for Talchum to be considered for the Unesco Cultural Heritage List. The decision will be made in December 2022.