The whirlwind of baguettes and drum beats fascinated the public while the curtains opened on the first Harmony festival organized by the American Korean association of Laguna Woods.
The extravagance of the Performing Arts Center on March 19 offered residents of the village a chance to live “the essence of Korean culture”, according to its organizers.
The performances of Song and Dance presented two groups of villages as well as professional artists who make their talents in the region.
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The traditional dance of flowers of the Korean crown has been played on royal banquets since the 1400s. Here, a professional troop dance at the Harmony Festival organized by the Coorean American Association of Laguna Woods on March 19, 2025, at the Performing Arts Center. (Thanks to Penny E. Schwartz)
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The traditional dance of flowers of the Korean crown has been played on royal banquets since the 1400s. Here, a professional troop dance at the Harmony Festival organized by the Coorean American Association of Laguna Woods on March 19, 2025, at the Performing Arts Center. (Thanks to Penny E. Schwartz)
Develop
For years, the American Korean group has sponsored an Arirang festival with village participants and public members drawn from its own members. The Korean population of the village increased to around 2,500, according to the moderator of the Sangkeun Park program.
Pearl Lee is a former member of the association’s board of directors and the first Korean to sit on the municipal council of Laguna Woods.
“Since the Korean community develops quickly, we felt the need to promote the rich tapestry of Korean culture and tradition in the rest of the village,” said Lee.
The association wanted to create a program that would be entertaining for a local audience by inviting artists from outside the village to demonstrate traditional and contemporary song and dance numbers. Colorful costumes, powerful voices and elegant dance movements characterized performance.
Before the start of the show, public members represented the Korean and American national hymns, led by professional singers with bewitching voices.
The Korean drum Goreu Nanta opened the show with a robust performance that was animated and well choreographed. The members of the public responded with enthusiasm to the group, whose name “Nanta” means “to beat hard”.
Two groups of residents of the village have exhibited their talents. The Korean Men’s choir offered musical harmonies while members of the online dance of Korean women presented energetic and animated dance numbers.
A professional troop offered the traditional Korean dance called Crown Flower Dance, played in Royal Banquets since the 1400s. Moving and Slow precise, the dancers agitated the sleeves of their white dresses which flow with elegant movements.
Another traditional dance, fans’ dance, was played for the first time at the 1954 Olympic Games in Mexico City. The dancers manipulated their fans of grace and delicacy, recalling the butterflies floating as they crossed the scene.
Before the intermission, a group of high energy young people demonstrated Taekwondo movements, with noisy cries, dramatic music and the rupture of boards with feet. Taekwondo is the national sport of Korea. Group members are students of the Martial Arts School of Village Resided Dae Kwon Park.
The second part of the program was filled with Hyunseoo Yang, Tenor Hwang and Soprano Yeoonhwa Na. The final song, “Arirang”, expressed the desire for unity and reunification of the Korean people. It is part of their common heritage and is sung by residents of North and South Korea.
“Arirang, which is one of the most popular songs in Korea, symbolizes the Korean spirit of resilience,” said Lee. “One of the most important objectives of this festival was not only to honor our differences, but to recognize the inclusiveness and the power of unity.”
More than 10 languages are spoken in the village, said one of the moderators.
“We are all cousins here, living in harmony and peace,” he said.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
