The Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province National Gugak Center Dance Company will present the 34th regular performance of the creative dance drama "Jag (作) - Majisan, a Masterpiece Created by God and Humans" at the Hanok Hall of the Korean Sound Culture Center on October 2nd at 7:30 p.m.

The dance company has been planning a series of regular performances titled "", which excavates historical and cultural assets unique to Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and transforms them into dance art.

The first part, "Jingyeong," depicted the life of a farmer in the Honam Plain in Gimje, the second part, "Goseomseom," portrayed the life of a fisherman in Wido, Buan, and the third part, "River," dramatized the stories of the Geumgang River and Mangyeong River in Gunsan. This fourth part, "Jag (作)," is a work that artistically reinterprets the myths, legends, and folklore surrounding Majisan in Jinan.

Majisan, the subject of this piece, boasts a mysterious landscape that reveals different forms depending on the direction, formed over millions of years through the accumulation of sediment from the Mesozoic freshwater lake. Majisan, with its cliffs resembling beehives carved by wind and rain, is a symbol representing Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and decorates the finale of the series.

The regular performance "Jag (作)" is composed of a total of eight acts, including an overture and an epilogue, symbolically representing heaven, god, human, and earth.

The performance starts with the overture "Heaven's Creation," followed by Act 1 "Boundary between Heaven and God," which expresses the Cheongsilbaenamu of Eunsusa and the faith of Jecheon, Act 2 "God and Human," a reinterpretation of the founding myth of Yi Seong-gye through Taekwondo, Act 3 "Towards People," unfolding the origin of Doltop and Majisan, Act 4 "Two Peaks," containing the legends of Sumaibong and Ammaibong, Act 5 "Running the Land," expressing the vigorous galloping of the mountain resembling a horse's ear, Act 6 "Majisan," depicting the mountain as a symbol encompassing everything, and finally, the epilogue "Passing the Mountain," conveying a message of coexistence between the mountain and humans.

The music combines traditional instruments with Western instruments to embody both Eastern colors and modern sensibilities simultaneously. Voice and vocal music were used to express oral traditions and the story of Doltop. The Taekwondo scene incorporated intense percussion rhythms and electronic sounds. Additionally, different theme music for each act was utilized to modulate dramatic tension, enhancing the audience's immersion through live performances.

The collaboration with local universities is noteworthy in this performance. The Ssaulabi Taekwondo Demonstration Team from Chonju University portrayed the Taekwondo scene in Act 2 "God and Human" more powerfully and magnificently. Moreover, a dozen members of the Janggu Guest Performance Group, composed of graduates from the Department of Korean Traditional Music at Wooseok University, enhanced the resonance of the scene. Particularly, the janggu is a musical instrument symbolizing 'rain' among the instruments used in shamanic rituals, and in this performance, it realistically reproduces the sound of rain, intensifying the dramatic tension and narrative depth.

The choreography combined Geumchukmu and Taekwondo forms to create dynamic yet restrained movements. By intersecting straight and curved lines, it expressed the flow of the mountain landscape and energy. Korean symbolic props such as 'bak,' an instrument containing the sounds of Geumchuk and horse hooves, were actively utilized to enhance the meaning of the piece.

The production team, including Art Director Lee Hye-kyung, Director Jo Ju-hyun, and Composer Jang Seok-jin, who have been involved in the "" series, have strengthened the continuity and stability of the work by participating again. Building on previous collaborative experiences, they are expected to present a more robust and high-quality performance.

In particular, this performance serves as the final regular performance led by Art Director Lee Hye-kyung, marking the culmination of four years of dedication and passion. Art Director Lee Hye-kyung has consistently expanded the artistic horizons of the National Gugak Center Dance Company by preserving traditional roots while continuously attempting new stages. This stage, based on the strong collaboration with the members who have breathed together over the years, will be a special moment that encapsulates the creative and stage experiences accumulated over decades.

Art Director Lee Hye-kyung expressed, "Majisan is a masterpiece created by heaven and humans, polished by wind and time. This stage is my final regular performance with the dance company, and I hope to share the mythological and artistic values cherished by Jeonbuk through the story of Majisan." She added, "I hope this work becomes a new leap and the starting point of hope for the dance company."