The purpose of this article is to investigate the dance practiced in private spaces during the Joseon dynasty by analyzing paintings and literature. This study is the third part of a series of research exploring paintings depicting dances in various performance venues in the Joseon dynasty. While the first two researches were about dances performed in royal palaces and in public places respectively, this article analyzes paintings and literature of dances in private spaces in the following three ways.

First, dances performed in the personal social gatherings were divided into three types according to the subject: dances performed at social gatherings for the elderly, reunions of officials who passed the national civil service examination in the same year, and social gatherings for the middle class. These dances were performed to strengthen the community spirit or to appreciate the performances of professional young male dancers called mudong.

Second, dances performed to celebrate the longevity of parents on their birthdays are analyzed. In such events, the mother was considered the most important character as well as audience, and the concept of “filial piety” was emphasized in the “Son’s Dance.”

Finally, dances conducted in private folk venues are examined. Some of these paintings portray a son who dances as a “performer” to celebrate his parents’ diamond wedding anniversary. Other paintings depict a clown dancing in a three-day parade where a person who passed the national civil service examination visits his examiners, high-ranking senior officials, and his relatives.