History of Buchaechum

Buchaechum is believed to be a very old dance form derived from a shamanistic dance that warded off evil spirits by the means of using a large leaf. This shamanistic dance made a resurgence through the creation of Buchaechum; a group dance fan dance performed by females. It formally developed and recognized during the Joseon Dynasty. 

The dance resurged with a new meaning as well; it was tied to shamanistic beliefs about nature and the natural movement of it. It became a popular dance and even spread to other Asian cultures in Japan and China through diffusion. It gained popularity because of it’s beauty and impressive formations, and eventually made its way to the high Korean court. At the time the dance was performed at lavish banquets for nearly every occasion. It was seen in springtime because a lot of Buchaechum dances are choreographed to represent the blooming of flowers, more particularly the pink peonie which is painted on the fans. The pink peonie represents prosperity and also adds a pleasing visual quality that compliments the movement of the dancers.