The Formation and Development of Four Things Game

The "four-object game" used to be called "agricultural music dance", but it was a contemptuous name for Korean traditional art during Japan's rule in Korea. So now, in order to restore traditional folk art, Koreans have restored the original name of "agricultural music dance" and renamed it "four-object game", which was directly produced by farmers celebrating the bumper harvest and attaching importance to agriculture. Historically, South Korea is also a country dominated by agriculture. The quality of crop harvest is directly related to the fate of the people and the country, and it is the top priority in life. Therefore, in the dance of "Four Things Game", the dancers all wrote down the banner of "Farmers are the foundation of the world", which shows that they attach importance to agriculture. The "four-object game" performed on the long drum is a group dance, which is generally composed of one or twenty people. But at least not less than four people. Each dancer holds a musical instrument, mainly percussion instruments, mainly small gongs, big gongs, middle drums, long drums and other musical instruments. Occasionally accompanied by national musical instruments such as Hu Di and Guan Zi. Dancers wear colorful national costumes and colorful crowns or headdresses on their heads. The lead dancer, holding a small gong, jumped at the head of the team to conduct, while the dancers behind him played their musical instruments together, echoing each other and dancing happily with the rhythm. Dance movements have a strong color of farming and military activities. Dancers run, jump or even somersault, and the atmosphere is warm and infectious, which makes onlookers eager to join the dancers. If it is not a formal performance, they also welcome onlookers to join the dance team and have fun. In addition, some other dances or games are interspersed in the dance. For example, in the elephant hat dance, there is a long ribbon on the hat on the dancer's head. When the dancer turns her head, the ribbon flies up and down around the dancer, and the dancer jumps or turns, walks or runs. Drive the ribbon to rotate. Some dancers can even dance ribbons several meters long, especially when many people dance ribbons together. The scene is very spectacular and beautiful. Drum "Four Things Game" is an indispensable dance for Koreans to express their celebration and joy. This kind of dance is deeply loved by the Korean people. It can not only perform in fields, courtyards, streets and squares, but also walk into elegant art halls and perform in theaters.

Through the efforts of Korean artists, "Four Things Game" has now become one of the best dances in Korea, and it is also a reserved program of the Korean National Art Troupe. During my many visits to Korea, I have enjoyed the dance of "Four Things Game" many times. I have not only seen the performances of folk villages, but also enjoyed the performances of national dance groups. I have seen the performances of professional dancers and ordinary college students. "Four Things Game" is a dance with national characteristics, organically combining tradition and modernity, and it is also a symbol of the Korean people's vigor and vitality towards the new century.