Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori (Mask Dance Drama of Hahoe)

Programs

Hahoe Village in Andong is a representative traditional Korean village, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori (Mask Dance Drama of Hahoe), practiced here for around 800 years, is a ritual performed to pray for peace and prosperity in the village during the First Full Moon Festival or New Year’s Day. It originated as a mask dance to entertain “Seonangsin,” the village’s guardian deity.
The “Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori” consists of eight chapters, including the Child Dancer, Lion Dance, and Butcher chapters. A clown wearing a bride mask is seen standing on a man’s shoulders, while characters from various social strata—such as a head monk, butcher (untouchable caste at the time) , and old woman—take the stage one by one in their respective masks to tell stories. The audience is entertained by the actors’ lively performances, folk songs, and dynamic dances, enjoying a festival that blends laughter and emotion. Today, the “Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori” is performed regularly at the Hahoe Village Mask Dance Theater.
The essence of “Hahoe Byeolsingut Tallori” lies in its sharp humor and satire. Particularly during the Joseon dynasty, it vividly exposed the hypocrisy and injustices of the aristocratic society, providing great entertainment and solace to the common people. The values of universal equality and criticism of the social class system, which are still relevant today, led to its recognition and inclusion in UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022.