A Study on Dance Styles in Theme Performances of Regional Festival Opening Ceremonies: Focused on the 2023 Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival

This study aims to explore the role and expressive characteristics of theme performances in regional festivals to establish a foundation for dance choreography development and provide direction for theme performance choreography. To achieve this, the 2023 Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival’s theme performance, which represented regional characteristics and the integration process of K-culture through various genres including dance, was analyzed. The study conducted a literature review to examine the concepts and impacts of theme performances in regional festivals, as well as the origin and historical evolution of the Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival. Additionally, the structure of the theme performance was analyzed to identify the arrangement of genres and the role of dance. Janet Adshead-Lansdale’s first-stage dance analysis method was employed to systematically examine the components of the performance and understand its overall framework. The key findings of this study are as follows: The theme performance incorporated daegeum performance, Korean traditional dance, electronic band music, and K-pop, achieving a dynamic integration of traditional and contemporary elements. In particular, the use of props in the choreography enhanced the grandeur and vitality of the performance, while traditional Korean instruments enriched the auditory experience, effectively showcasing the aesthetic beauty of Korean traditional culture. Furthermore, the progression of the performance, based on Korean movements and regional characteristics, was found to be well-suited to the theme performance of a regional festival. It effectively conveyed the core content and imagery of the festival. This study is expected to serve as a practical resource for enhancing the role of dance in theme performances at regional festivals.