The Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Company celebrated the Year of the Snake with vibrant performances at Disneyland’s Paradise Garden Bandstand, captivating audiences from January 19 to February 15. Performing six times a day, the group offered visitors a chance to experience Korea’s rich cultural heritage through traditional dance.
The performance opened with Angela An performing the Hwa Gwan Mu (flower crown dance). Dressed in a royal costume adorned with the traditional obangsaek (the five cardinal colors of Korea), An’s dance symbolized a wish for prosperity in the new year. Her graceful movements and vibrant costume set a celebratory tone for the Year of the Snake.
Following the opening act, Helen Lee took the stage with a Salpuri (Korean shamanic dance). In stark contrast to the colorful previous performance, Lee wore a simple white hanbok representing purity. Her delicate waving of a long white scarf symbolized cleansing away negative energy and welcoming a fresh start for the year ahead.
The energy shifted with the third act as Joanne Shim and Junette Sheen performed the Jindo Buk (traditional Korean drum dance). Wearing yellow overcoats—symbolic of earth and simplicity in Korean tradition—they struck their drums with synchronized beats, inviting positive energy and engaging the audience with lively rhythms.
The performance concluded with a fan dance, Buchaechum, performed by Angela An, Christina Hahn, and Kate Park. The dancers used colorful fans to form shapes representing elements of nature, including butterflies, waves, and flowers. This visually stunning dance, a favorite among the audience, highlighted the elegance and artistry of Korean traditional dance.
As the snake symbolizes renewal, transformation, and spiritual growth, the Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Company’s performance embodied these themes through their meaningful costumes and skilled choreography. Their dedication to preserving and promoting Korean culture abroad left a lasting impression on both first-time viewers and returning fans.
Reflecting on the experience, many audience members expressed appreciation for the opportunity to explore Korean traditions in such an engaging way. With their successful completion of Disneyland’s Year of the Snake celebration, the Kim Eung Hwa Korean Dance Company continues to inspire and share the beauty of Korean culture with the world.
<Heather(Seoyoung) Yang Student reporter>hseoyoungy@gmail.com
Seoyoung Yang is a Student in Immaculate Heart High School. She is interested in Koreatown, its gentrification phenomenon, and Korean American culture.
