Cheongbae Traditional Performing Arts Troupe | Cheongbae

Cheongbae (Playing with the Spirit of Nature) - For most of the 5000 years of Korean history, traditional arts and music existed in two separate, broadly defined and socially distinct categories: the otherworldly spiritual minimalism of the literati and yangban (aristocracy) and the vigorous, earthy sensuality of the commoners. The artistic world of the aristocracy was defined by the modesty, self-restraint and sobriety of Neo-Confucian ethics while the majority of Korean merchants and peasantry embraced the passionate, mystical and at times irreverent and anarchic expression of shamanism.
Founded in 2001, the young musicians of Cheongbae have already established themselves as one of Korea's most energetic and innovative performing ensembles. Drawing upon pre-modern Korean theater and rituals for inspiration, they capture the essence of Yeonhee, or 'playing,' and bring the dynamism of Korean shamanism into the concert hall.
A Cheongbae performance is a spiritual experience. Their recreations of traditional Gut (or shamanistic rituals) bestow blessings of happiness and health and well-being. The ecstatic clatter of gongs, cymbals, the thunderous beat of drums, the keening wails of a pair of taepyeongso (a type of shawm whose name enchantingly translates as "big peace wind instrument") and the chest-pounding drone of the nabal long-trumpet shapes a sacred space where the only thing you can do is jump to your feet and join them in their dance! Kkwanggari – JOO Youngho, YANG Bona
Janggu – PARK Changgeon, YEO Seongryong
Buk – SONG Chiho, LEE Soeun
Zing – OH Wonseok, KIM Jinhwan
Taepyeongso, Bara- PARK Beomtae