Talchum (탈춤)

Talchum has a long tradition interweaving elements of Buddhist, Confucian, and shamanistic cultures in Korea. Among the dances, “bongsan talchum,” “yangjoo sandaenolli,” and “hahoe byolsingut” are especially well known. The function of the masks in the dance is to disguise the players’ faces. The main themes of the dances are disgust with the ruling yangban class and antipathy toward the depraved Buddhist monks.