Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori

하회별신굿탈놀이

A folk mask drama dating back roughly 800 years, which humorously satirizes the yangban aristocracy and Buddhist monks. Inscribed in 2022 as part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list under "Korean Mask Dance Drama."

The Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori mask dance originated in the Goryeo period. It was originally a mask drama performed within the "Byeolsin" ritual, held every few years in Hahoe Village to honor the city god. Commoners played the roles of yangban aristocrats, scholars, monks, butchers, old women and brides, using dance and dialogue to mock the hypocrisy of the privileged class. It was a way for ordinary people in the Joseon period to voice their discontent. The Hahoe masks are carved from alder wood, with movable jaws and expressions that change with the angle of the light. The surviving Hahoe masks and Byeongsan masks have both been designated National Treasures of South Korea. The Hahoe mask dance is an important Intangible Cultural Heritage of South Korea, and in 2022 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as part of "Korean Mask Dance Drama." How to watch: the Transmission Hall near the entrance to Hahoe Village holds regular performances, usually from Tuesday to Sunday at around 2:00 p.m., lasting about one hour (in the off-season, only on weekends; check the announcement for each year). Admission is free. Nearby, the Hahoe World Mask Museum houses hundreds of masks from South Korea and around the world, with entry about 5,000 won. From the end of September to early October each year, the Andong International Mask Dance Festival takes place in both downtown Andong and Hahoe Village, featuring mask performances and parades from many countries.

Hahoe Byeolsingut Talnori

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