Choi Seung-hee

A Korean female dancer. Born in Seoul. Graduated from Sookmyung Girls' School. In 1926, she became a student of Ishii Baku, held her first dance recital in 1930, and became independent in 1934. She toured Europe, the US, and China, and was praised as the "Dancing Princess of Korea," becoming an internationally acclaimed dancer. She presented many popular works based on folk dance, such as "Monk Dance," "Sword Dance," "Fan Dance," and "Bongsan Mask Dance." After World War II, she was mainly active in North Korea. In 1946, she opened the Choi Seunghee Dance Research Institute (promoted to national status in 1952), and enthusiastically presented dance dramas such as "Ban-Night Moon Song" and "Sadaoseong Story." In 1962, she was awarded the title of People's Actor, and after serving as chairman of the Korean Dancers' Union and other important government positions, she disappeared. Her books include "Basic Korean Folk Dance" and "Basic Korean Children's Dance Drama," the former of which is a textbook that explains the basics of Korean dance.

[Kim Ryoki]

In February 2003, North Korea's Korean Central Television reported that Choe Seung-hee's remains had been placed in the Patriotic Martyrs' Cemetery. The tombstone reads, "Died on August 8, 1969," but there are differing theories about his birth and death years.

[Editorial Department]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

朝鮮の女流舞踊家。ソウル生まれ。淑明女学校卒業。1926年石井漠(ばく)に入門、30年第1回舞踊発表会を開き、34年に独立し、欧米や中国などに巡演して朝鮮の舞姫とたたえられ、国際的な舞踊家となる。民族舞踊を素材にした『僧舞』『剣舞』『扇の舞』『鳳山仮面舞』など話題作を数々発表。第二次世界大戦後は、おもに北朝鮮で活躍。1946年崔承喜舞踊研究所（52年国立に昇格）を開き、『半夜月城曲』『沙道城物語』などの舞踊劇を意欲的に発表。1962年人民俳優の称号を受け、朝鮮舞踊家同盟委員長や政府の要職を歴任したのち、消息不明となった。著書に『朝鮮民族舞踊基本』『朝鮮児童舞踊劇基本』があり、前者は朝鮮舞踊の基本を解明した教典である。

［金　両　基］

　2003年2月、北朝鮮の朝鮮中央テレビは、崔承喜の遺骨が愛国烈士陵に安置されたことを報道した。墓碑には「1969年8月8日逝去」と記されているが、生没年に関して異説もある。

［編集部］

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