Reimagining Legends Through Dance Dramas: Chinese Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai and Korean Smile Chunhyang
Abstract
This study compares the dance-drama adaptations of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai in China and Smile Chunhyang in South Korea within their respective cultural and policy contexts. Using intertextuality and hypertextuality as its framework, it examines textual adaptation, stage presentation, and differences in narrative, aesthetics, and audience engagement, identifying two complementary models of cultural heritage re-creation. The findings show that legend-based dance dramas transform intangible cultural heritage into living art and, by balancing preservation with dissemination, foster intercultural understanding and global cultural exchange.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Comparative and World Literature
Theatre and Performance Studies
Arts and Performance Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Dance Chronicle
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 52–78
- Publication date
- 2 January 2026
- Language
- EN