The objective of this study is to evaluate the significance of Jung Keum Ran ("Jung"), Korean traditional dancer, in the history of dance based on her life and performances. Jung learned Seungmu and Salpuri from Han Young Sook and Sanjo from Kim Jin G... The objective of this study is to evaluate the significance of Jung Keum Ran ("Jung"), Korean traditional dancer, in the history of dance based on her life and performances. Jung learned Seungmu and Salpuri from Han Young Sook and Sanjo from Kim Jin Geol. She is the only one dancer who has mastered Pansori Chunhyang-Jeon, the designated Intangible Cultural Asset no 5. The history of Jung's dance is in line with history of Seongnam and she has been respected as the mother of dance in Seongnam. Looking at the life journey of Jung's, it could be observed that every aspect of her dance was reflection of her passion about art. This study follows the life of Jung's, who already passed away, in a sequential manner of time. The data and information on Jung's life and dances could be mainly obtained from the magazine called "Seongnam current affairs" published by Seongnam Current Affairs Publishing Committee in 2004 and 2014 and from the blogs on SNS owned by Kim Seong-Tae, Jung's husband. Additional information on Jung's dance and life could be collected through interviews with Kim Keun Hee, Lee Myung Ja, and Cho Heung Do who are dancers and also friends of Jung's, Kim Seong Tae, Jung's husband, and Jung Ho Jung, Jung's younger brother. Through these data and information collected, it could be observed that Jung understood Korean traditional arts are all inter-connected sharing common values and traits. With such understanding in mind, Jung mastered all sorts of traditional arts, not only dance but also Pansori, Gayageum, folk songs, and even calligraphy. Jung performed dancing with passion as a dancer, choreographed quite a few of dance performances as a choreographer, and taught students as an educator. In teaching, Jung was very strict in basics, and considered Salpuri and Sanjo as the basics of dance, which is derived from her sense of responsibility and duty as an artist to preserve and pass down Korean traditional arts. The performances choreographed by Jung meant more than just preservation and hand-down of traditional arts. Jung left behind quite a few remarkable performances such as <Jeukheungmu>, < Patriotic martyrs>, <Love of Memory>, <Sanseongpuri>, <Joy>, <Old Tree>, <Song of Crane>, <Salvation>, <Door>, <Dawn>, <Yemaek>. <Surplus Person>, <Shangri-La>, <Portrait of Shaman>, <Light and Sound>, <Cultural landscape>. The dance performances by Jung, master of dance, convey representative Korean traditional sentiment of resentment and sorrows of life, sublimation, and transcendental joy and delight. Jung's performances have attributes of artistic value, regional characteristics, and pass-down of tradition in a modernized manner. First attribute is artistic value. Jung showed off artistic value through Seungmu which is considered as the essence of Korean traditional dances. There is an old saying that if you are masterful in Seungmu, you are capable to perform other dances as well. Jung's Seumgmu depicts the beauty of flows and inner personality as well as the beauty of outer figures. At the same time, Jung choreographed other performances built upon the figurative symbol and beauty of Seumgmu. In addition, she had special passion in Seumgmu and had been recognized for her outstanding performance of Seungmu. Second attribute is regional characteristic. Seongam was promoted to be a municipal city in 1973, the first government planned city lacking cultural aspects, and the history of dance in Seongnam started off by Jung. Jung played a critical role in enriching cultural aspects in Seongnam for more than 20 years , and she got admired and respected as a Korean traditional dancer in the town. The poor forcefully relocated people from demolished dwellings gathered together in Seongnam and accomplished remarkable growth as today, and Jung's contribution to cultural enrichment in the city was a part of the back bone of such growth. Jung set the stepping stone for progression and advancement of dance in Seongnam and Gyeonggi regions having served as the first head of Seongnam region and also as the head of Gyeonggi region of <Korea Dance Association>. In recognition of Jung's devotion and contribution for Seongnam's cultural advancement, <Jung Keum Ran's Dance Festival> has been held annually for past 15 years in support of Seongnam. Last attribute is pass-down of tradition. Jung had strong confidence in preservation of tradition and taught her students Salpuri, Seungmu, and Sanjo in a thorough manner. Just preserving the tradition was not enough for Jung, instead, she put endless effort to create new performances. Jung's study on dance has been a good reference for those who work to recreate traditional dances in modern context. Sadly, Jung passed away in June 1994 at her age of 53 due to chronic illness. Although Jung's life was not long enough, her spirit of art towards dance and her performances will remain vivid in the history of dance. Jung's performance made the people's life enriched and contributed cultural advancement in the local community. Lastly, it is hoped for this study to restore Jung's life and artistic performances upon the history and to be a good reference for the dancers living current days.
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