The historic village of Hahoe is home to the famous Hahoe mask dance and attracts curious visitors from all over the world. The village is located about 268 kilometers to the southeast of Seoul in South Korea and is a well-preserved home of the country’s traditional culture. It comes as no surprise, then, that this is the place where the iconic Hahoe masks originated and it is also a fantastic place to see them still being used in dances.

Tourists who decide to visit this village, after spending hours of deliberation back at home while they wish they were playing Partypoker will know that it is well worth it once they arrive. They will be greeted by golden paddy fields and gorgeous scenery, already providing many photo opportunities and this is even before they get into the heart of the village. There is an auditorium where the mask dance drama can be viewed and where cheering and pounding drum sounds radiate from.

The mask dance drama began during the Koryo Dynasty as a way of appeasing the spirits. It rapidly evolved into a way for commoners to protest against the lifestyles of the local elites and religious figures. They created satirical characters and mocked them under the guise of entertainment and performance. This provided a much-needed outlet for the oppressed to voice their frustrations and resentment regarding rigid social class barriers. They were able to mock the shortcomings of the noble class and express themselves.

One example of the events that were acted out is that of an old widow lamenting her poor life. She danced and begged for the audience’s help while she carried around a small gourd. This was supposed to represent the suffering and grief that women were experiencing during their life in a society that was dominated by males. This satire has serious meanings and also serves as a great way of entertaining locals and tourists alike. Many people find it easy to tell what it going on, even if they are just visitors to the area.