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The Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea (Korean: 리틀엔젤스예술단) is a South Korean traditional art and dance troupe made up of elementary and middle school children,[1] founded in 1962 by Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, to project a positive image of South Korea to the world.[2][3] In 1973 they performed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.[4] The group’s dances are based on Korean legends and regional dances, and its costumes on traditional Korean styles. Choral singing by the troupe in many languages is also featured.[5]
| Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Name | Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea |
| Year founded | May 5, 1962 |
| Founders | Dr. Sun Myung Moon & Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon |
| Website | http://www.littleangels.or.kr/ |
| Senior staff | |
| Chief Executive | Julia H. Moon |
| Executive Director | Imsoon Jung |
| Artistic staff | |
| Artistic Director | Bae Jung-hye |
| Other | |
| Official school | Sunhwa Arts School |
The Little Angels are supported financially by the Tongil Group, a South Korean business group associated with the Unification Church, through the Tongil Foundation.[6] The Little Angels are part of the Sunhwa Arts School. School fees are sponsored by Sunhwa Educational Foundation so that any talented girl can apply.[7]
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Little Angels were established as Daehan Children's Art Troupe on May 5, 1962.[8] It was the time, when South Korea was still recovering from the Korean War. From the very beginning, the mission of the school was to be ambassadors of peace and goodwill,[9] and use creativity to counter the negative image of South Korea at that time, symbolized by famine, poverty, and abandonment, by spreading the 5,000-year-old Korean cultural traditions.[7]
In 1965 permission was granted to establish the Little Angels art school for 720 students and 12 classes.[8]
In 1974, the Little Angels Art Education Center was completed. The newly opened school, called Little Angels School of Arts, accepted 240 pupils. The school was opened by Bo-hi Pak who became the first principal of the school.[8]
In 1975, Sunhwa Academy was founded and Bo-hi Pak was named the first president.[8]
In 1976, Sunhwa Arts High School was accredited and the following year the school was renamed from Little Angels Art School to Sunhwa Art School and Little Angels Troupe become a part of the school with a broader artistic focus.[8]
From 1965 to 1988 they performed over 2000 shows in 40 countries[10] and until 2015 over 7000 shows and 70 foreign tours in 60 countries.[7]
In 1990, they performed in Moscow and the then-Soviet First Lady Raisa Gorbacheva was also a guest.[7]
In May 1998, they performed as part of the cultural diplomacy of the founders in Pyongyang, North Korea. The North Korean leadership subsequently sent a Pyongyang school team to tour South Korea in May 2000.[7]
In 2010, on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the South Korean government with the Korean War 60th Anniversary Memorial Committee sponsored a Little Angels tour to all countries participating in the 1950 UN appeal for the defense of South Korea.[7] Little Angels started their tour in Norfolk, United States because of ties of the city to General McArthur, who according to officiators turned the momentum of the war.[11] Later that year they traveled to the other 15 nations that had sent troops to support South Korea in the UN force.[12][13]
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The repertoire of Little Angels is classical Korean dance, singing, and playing traditional Korean musical instruments.[7]
- Chorus – accompanied by their conductor at the piano singing international songs and tunes from Korea.[14]
- Dances:[14]
- New Years' Day – since 2021, Choreography Bae Jung-hae, the theme of the Lunar New Year (Seollal) celebration.
- Peace Road – since 2020, Choreography Bae Jung-hae, dance promoting Peace, global human family, harmony, and cooperation.
- Jinsoe Festival – an adaptation of the traditional Korean dance "Jinsoe Chum” with gwengwaris (small Korean gongs).
- Hwageom – dance inspired by the Wonhwa, ladies from the elite class of Hwarang in the Silla Dynasty.
- Palace – an adaptation of traditional court dances with hansam (flowing extended sleeves) movements.
- Miyal – dance drama of the Miyal story using a fan.
- Folk Singing with Gayageum – group performance with gayageum, a musical instrument that originated in the Gaya kingdom and passed on to the Shilla Dynasty.
- Moon Festival – performance of the Moon Festival (Ganggangsullae), in Korea symbolizing the defense of the fatherland. Dance Ganggangsullae is listed as UNESCO World Heritage.[15]
- Doll Dance – dance inspired by a Korean tradition - a literal doll dance performed on the lunar new year.
- Farm Dance – an expression of the farmer’s thanksgiving during the fruitful autumn harvest season.
- Warrior’s Dance – inspired by general Kim Yu-sin and the Hwarang order in the 7th century, using a melody of the Ballad of Gyeongbuk Palace.
- Travel by Night – dance story from the Korean past, when grandfather carries his granddaughter through the night.
- Fan Dance – dance with a fan, which is the symbol of noblesse, a part of Korean tradition.
- Drum Dance – rhythmic dance with 6 standing drums symbolizes tensions between body and soul.
- Wedding Day – a dance story of a ludicrous wedding in ancient times, when a very young boy is called to take a much older bride.
- Hourglass Drum Dance – rhythmic dance with a long, hourglass-shaped drum.
- Toy Soldiers – dance of the toy soldiers to the music of the Radetzky March, first performed for Queen Elizabeth II. on November 15, 1971.
- Spring Time – dance of spring-time traditions.
- The Legend of Chunhyang – puppet-style dance story of the love and fidelity of Korean heroine Chunhyang towards her fiancé.
- Mask Dance – dance with masks of various kinds is a traditional part of local cultural festivals of ancient Korea.
- Flower Crown Dance – a modern adaptation of Korean traditional court dance.
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Albums:[16]
- The Little Angels, Vinyl LP (Label: Philips – 6308 137), UK, Australia 1972
- The Little Angels Smile, Vinyl LP (Label: MGM Records – SE-4927, Special Products Division), US 1973
- The Little Angels, Vinyl LP (Label: Philips – 6308 137, Fontana – SEL-100092), South Korea, Jul 21, 1973
- 리틀 엔젤스 애창곡 (Little Angels Favorite Songs), CD (SKC SKCD-C-0003), South Korea, March 1, 1987[17]
- The Little Angels Sing - X-Mas Cards, CD (SKC SKCD-0057),1987
- Les Petits Anges De Corée – Bienvenue À Séoul, CD (Label: Forlane – UCD 19014), 1988
- Little Angels Pyongyang Performance Special, CD 1998
- 공연실황 - 화관무/부채춤/강강수월래 (Live performance - Hwagwanmu / Fan dance / Ganggangsuwolae), Laser Disc (Label. SKC SKST-2003), 2003
- 리틀엔젤스예술단 – 창단 50주년 특집 (Little Angels Art Troupe – Special performance on the 50th anniversary of its founding), CD (self-released), 2012
Singles & EPs:[16]
- The Little Angels National Folk Ballet Of Korea – Children Of The World Unite, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 270), Netherlands 1972
- The Little Angels National Folk Ballet Of Korea – Mother Of Mine, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 257), United Kingdom 1972
- The Little Angels – Dominique / Echo Of The Angels, Vinyl SP (Label: MGM Records – K-14657), US 1973
- The Little Angels – Children Of The World Unite, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 270), New Zealand 1973
- The Little Angels – Dominique / Mother Of Mine, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – SFL 1768), Japan
- 8.15 광복절 기념 리틀엔젤스 합창곡 모음 (8.15 Liberation Day Celebration Little Angels Choral Songs), 2021
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List of overseas tours:[18]
| # | Tour name / program | From | To | Venue |
| 1 | 1st US Tour, including Special Performance for US President Eisenhower[9] | 1965-09-20 | 1965-12-16 | Gettysburg, PA, US[19][20] |
| 2 | 2nd US Tour, including Invitational Performance at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. | 1966-10-27 | 1967-02-28 | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| 3 | North American Tour, including a week of Performances at the Lincoln Center, N.Y. at the request of the White House (first as a foreign institution) | 1967-10-27 | 1968-01-11 | United States and Canada[20] |
| 4 | North America and Japan Tour including participation in the Mexico Olympics Culture & Art Festival (enhanced national prestige) | 1968-09-17 | 1969-02-04 | Mexico, United States, Japan |
| 5 | North America and Japan Tour including Special Performance for the U.S.A. President Nixon[9] and British Prime Minister Heath at the request of the President | 1970-09-25 | 1971-01-25 | US, Japan & Canada[20] |
| 6 | Europe Tour including a Performance at the British Royal Court at the request of Queen Elisabeth II.[9] | 1971-08-27 | 1971-12-23 | Three Nations including Germany and UK |
| 7 | Europe Tour including a Meeting with Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands | 1972-10-07 | 1973-02-08 | Three Nations including the Netherlands, France |
| 8 | Special Fundraising Performance Tour for Rebuilding after the Vietnam War | 1972-11-09 | 1973-03-04 | Japan |
| 9 | World Tour including Special Performance for 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey | 1973-07-06 | 1973-12-14 | Five Nations including Germany, Switzerland |
| 10 | North American Tour including Special Fundraising Performance for UNICEF at the UN General Assembly | 1973-08-27 | 1973-12-23 | US & Canada |
| 11 | North American Tour including Expo'74, World's Fair, in Spokane, Washington | 1974-05-28 | 1974-10-12 | US & Canada |
| 12 | World Tour including Courtesy Call & Performance for first Tunisian President Bourguiba | 1974-07-28 | 1974-11-24 | 19 Nations including Taiwan, Philippines |
| 13 | World Tour including Courtesy Call to Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Fukuda | 1974-10-12 | 1975-02-14 | Six Nations including Japan |
| 14 | World Tour including a Courtesy Call & Special Performance for Chile President Pinochet and the First Lady | 1975-05-30 | 1975-10-14 | 11 Nations including US, Canada |
| 15 | US and Europe tour including 4th Conference of the International Association of University Presidents in Boston | 1975-08-28 | 1976-02-13 | Three nations including the US, Germany |
| 16 | Special Congratulatory Performance for the 200th Anniversary of US Independence | 1976-05-26 | 1976-11-02 | US & Canada |
| 17 | Special Performance for Korea Day during the Tsukuba International Exposition | 1985-05-12 | 1985-05-19 | Tsukuba, Japan |
| 18 | Tour in Japan | 1990-01-15 | 1990-01-27 | Cities in Japan including Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka |
| 19 | Soviet Union Fundraising Performance for Children's Welfare | 1990-04-07 | 1990-04-18 | The Soviet Union |
| 20 | 4 - City Tour in Taiwan | 1990-07-10 | 1990-07-22 | Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung |
| 21 | Performance in Live International Telethon in Russia | 1991-12-29 | 1992-01-14 | Russia |
| 22 | Tour in the US | 1992-01-10 | 1992-01-31 | Locations in the US including NY, New Jersey, Florida |
| 23 | Ten - Performance Tour in Japan | 1992-07-20 | 1992-08-13 | Cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Nagoya |
| 24 | Tour to Major US Cities | 1993-01-12 | 1993-02-04 | Carnegie Hall (NY) & Kennedy Center (Washington, DC) |
| 25 | 14 - City Tour in Japan | 1993-07-25 | 1993-08-19 | 14 cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka |
| 26 | China Tour including Participation in the Opening Ceremony of CIGF (China International Garment and Textile Fair Dalian) | 1994-07-28 | 1994-08-26 | Taiwan & China |
| 27 | 14 Performances in Malaysia & Thailand | 1996-01-01 | 1996-01-15 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Bangkok, Thailand |
| 28 | 12 - City Tour in Japan | 1996-01-04 | 1996-01-28 | 12 cities in Japan including Hokkaido, Aomori |
| 29 | Special Live Performance for Israel National Television, CH2 | 1996-07-31 | 1996-08-18 | Israel |
| 30 | 11 - City Tour in Japan | 1997-01-04 | 1997-01-21 | 11 cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki |
| 31 | 22 - Performance South American Tour | 1997-07-20 | 1997-08-23 | Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| 32 | 13 - City Tour in Japan | 1997-08-04 | 1997-08-31 | 13 cities in Japan including Hokkaido, Sendai |
| 33 | 12 - City Tour in Japan | 1998-01-12 | 1998-01-31 | 12 cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Okazaki |
| 34 | Three Performances in North Korea Supporting Reconciliation and Cooperation between North and South Korea | 1998-05-01 | 1998-05-12 | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| 35 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 1998-07-22 | 1998-08-20 | Ten cities in Japan including Nagano, Chiba, Osaka |
| 36 | Nine-City Tour in Japan | 1999-08-04 | 1999-08-23 | Nine cities in Japan including Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kobe |
| 37 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2000-07-28 | 2000-08-13 | Seven cities in Japan including Miyagi, Gunma, Tokyo |
| 38 | Ten-City Tour in the US | 2001-01-01 | 2001-02-03 | Ten cities in the US including NY, Washington, San Antonio |
| 39 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 2001-01-12 | 2001-01-28 | Ten cities in Japan including Tokyo, Hiroshima |
| 40 | Tour Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Korea - China Diplomatic Relations | 2001-07-12 | 2001-07-21 | China |
| 41 | Six-City Tour in Japan | 2001-07-29 | 2001-08-09 | Six cities in Japan including Sapporo, Nagano, Maeba |
| 42 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 2002-07-29 | 2002-08-12 | Ten cities in Japan including Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto |
| 43 | Ten-City Tour in the US | 2003-01-19 | 2003-03-05 | Ten cities in the US including Chicago, NY, Washington |
| 44 | Conference on the Reunification of North & South Korea and Peace in Asia | 2003-02-10 | 2003-02-12 | International Conference Hall, Osaka, Japan Kansai |
| 45 | Special Performance in Shanghai for the Promotion of Culture & Art | 2003-10-23 | 2003-10-27 | Shanghai, China |
| 46 | Six-City Japan Tour | 2004-02-04 | 2004-02-20 | Six cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Hiroshima |
| 47 | Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Korean Immigration to the US | 2004-02-09 | 2004-03-05 | US Tour |
| 48 | Korean Wave Festival in Beijing | 2004-07-14 | 2004-07-17 | The Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China |
| 49 | Nine-City Tour in Japan | 2005-07-26 | 2005-08-13 | Nine cities in Japan including Tokyo, Sendai |
| 50 | ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Plenipotentiary Conference 2006 | 2006-11-07 | 2006-11-15 | Antalya, Turkey |
| 51 | Five-City Tour in the US | 2007-01-10 | 2007-01-30 | Five cities in the US including Chicago, and Detroit. |
| 52 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2007-07-25 | 2007-08-08 | Seven cities in Japan including Tokyo, and Osaka. |
| 53 | Special Performance supporting the bid to Host Expo 2012 in Yeosu Korea | 2007-11-21 | 2007-11-28 | Paris, France |
| 54 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2008-07-29 | 2008-08-13 | Seven cities in Japan including Tokyo, Fukuoka |
| 55 | Seven-City Tour in the US | 2009-01-13 | 2009-02-21 | Seven cities in the US including Saint Louis, Burlington |
| 56 | Congratulatory Performance for the Opening of the 2009 Rotary International Convention | 2009-06-19 | 2009-06-25 | Birmingham, UK |
| 57 | Invitational Performance in Qatar | 2009-10-24 | 2009-10-29 | Doha, Qatar |
| 58 | 1st Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-06-06 | 2010-07-09 | US, Canada & Columbia |
| 59 | 2nd Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-09-07 | 2010-10-13 | 7 European Nations & 2 African Nations |
| 60 | 3rd Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-11-07 | 2010-12-07 | 4 Southeast Asian Nations[21] |
| 61 | Nepal - Korea Goodwill Cultural Exchange | 2011-02-21 | 2011-02-28 | Nepal |
| 62 | Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to Countries that Dispatched Medical Units during the Korean War | 2011-05-14 | 2011-06-13 | 5 European Nations & 1 African Nation |
| 63 | Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 | 2011-09-07 | 2011-09-14 | New York, US |
| 64 | Special Performance for Mongolia - Korea Cultural Exchange | 2011-11-05 | 2011-11-11 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia |
| 65 | World Peace Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War to Countries that Dispatched Medical Units during the Korean War, guest chief minister Sheila Dikshit | 2011-11-19 | 2011-11-25 | New Delhi, India[9] |
| 66 | World Peace Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War - Western US Region | 2012-02-06 | 2012-02-20 | The Western region of the US |
| 67 | Tour Commemorating the 59th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice (invited by Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs) | 2012-07-24 | 2012-07-31 | Washington, DC, US[22] |
| 68 | Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice (Banquet Honoring Korean War Veterans) | 2013-07-25 | 2013-07-30 | Washington, DC, US |
| 69 | Special Performance for KOREA FESTIVAL 2013 in Singapore; invited by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore | 2013-10-23 | 2013-10-28 | EXPO Singapore |
| 70 | Little Angels Tour of Europe Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Korea's Liberation | 2015-05-06 | 2015-05-19 | Austria, Frankfurt & London |
| 71 | Special Tour of Japan Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Korea - Japan Diplomatic Relations | 2015-11-22 | 2015-12-04 | 4 Cities in Japan: Tokyo, Kobe, Hiroshima & Fukuoka |
| 72 | Congratulatory Performance for the Launch of IAPP Asia - Oceania | 2016-07-26 | 2016-08-02 | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| 73 | Congratulatory Performances for the Launch of IAPP | 2016-11-26 | 2016-12-05 | National Theater, Washington, DC; Manhattan Center, New York |
| 74 | Korea - Malaysia Peace Tour & Goodwill Performance | 2017-01-10 | 2017-01-19 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 75 | Special Performance for the Launch of YSP Asia - Oceania | 2017-06-10 | 2017-06-16 | Impact Arena, Bangkok, Thailand |
| 76 | Commemorative Celebration of Moon Jae-in’s presidential state visit to China. Korean - China Cultural Exchange Night | 2015-11-11 | 2015-11-15 | Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China |
| 77 | Congratulatory Performance for the Launch of IAPP, Heavenly Africa | 2018-01-15 | 2018-01-25 | CICAD, Dakar, Senegal, Africa |
| 78 | Hamina Tattoo International Military Music Festival | 2018-07-30 | 2018-08-04 | Bastian, Hamina, Finland |
| 79 | Little Angels Japan Tour | 2019-01-16 | 2019-01-20 | Omiya Sonic City, Tokyo |
| 80 | Special Performance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Colombia's independence, at the invitation of the Embassy of Colombia, Seoul. | 2019-07-05 | 2019-07-07 | Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Bogota, Colombia |
| 81 | Little Angels Japan tour | 2019-10-04 | 2019-10-08 | Aichi Sky Expo |
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- Sumi Jo - operatic soprano[7]
- Young-ok Shin - coloratura soprano[7][23]
- Kang Sue-jin - primabalerina in Stuttgart ballet[7][23]
- Park, Han-byul - actress and model[7]
- Hwang, Jung-eum - actress and singer[7]
- Hoon-suk Moon - director of Universal Ballet[23]
- Deok-su Kim - professor at Korea National University of Arts[23]
- Shim Sook-kyung - choreographer of the National Gugak Center[23]
- Lee No-yeon - chief choreographer of Busan City Dance Company[23]
- Hong Kyung-hee - director of Jeonbuk Provincial Dance Company[23]
- Nam Ki-moon - representative of Samulnori, National Gugak Center[23]
- Shin Myung-sook - head of the Department of Dance and Art at Daejin University[23]
- Kwak Eun-ah - professor of Korean Music at Ewha Womans University[23]
- Jeon Eun-ja - professor of dance at Sungkyunkwan University[23]
- Kim Woon-mi - professor of dance at Hanyang University[23]
- Yu-oh Jeon - professor of dance at Seowon University[23]
- Eun-young Park - KBS announcer[23]
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Dancers of the Little Angels performed Buchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance at a performing arts centre in Seoul.
Members of Little Angels performing Drum Dance
Artists in Schiphol before they perform for UNICEF in 1972
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