The purpose of this research is to confirm the value of the New Folk Song Dance in the history of modern Korean dance. Based on literature review and video analysis, this research investigates the characteristics of the New Folk Song Dance by analyzing the dance movements of ‘Cheonan Samgeoli’, ‘Nillilia’, and ‘Cheonyo Chonggak’ in cultural films reproduced under the direction of the Society for Dance Documentation and History. Based on the dance analysis theory of Janet Adshead, the characteristics and values of New Folk Song Dance were explored by analyzing the components of dance (movement, dancer, visual and auditory environment) and the nature of dance (genre and style). The result of this research shows that the New Folk Song Dance has the characteristics of cultural expressions of modern dance through which we can enjoy occidental music as well as traditional one. The dance is composed of simple and repetitive movements as well as a variety of formation, which makes it very easy for the public to learn. This allows us to confirm the value of the New Folk Song Dance as another type of modern dance heritage, ultimately leading us to redefine the perspective of modern dance culture.

This study focuses on the sociocultural and artistical interrelations between the "Korean Dance" and two of the most popular non-textual forms of mass media - commercial sound recordings (gramophone records) and films (feature films, newsreels, documentaries) - between the 1930s and 1960s. First, this study focuses on how gramophone records were employed through the Korean dance recitals during this period, as well as on what type of music was used in these recitals. Second, this paper examines the films documenting "Korean Dance" shot and produced during the time period in question, and discusses how these films were produced and how it has impacted establishing the "Korean Dance" through its mass distribution. By doing so, this paper attempts to provide a preliminary suggestion on how the "Korean Dance" has made its transitions over time, as well as an opportunity to historically understand the actual manifestation of "Korean dance" during its earlier days of a modern form of performing arts. It can be strongly argued that a strong sense of a historical parallel is revealed between the historic development of the Korean Dance in the early 20th century Korea and the development of the notion of Korean national culture, as both came into their modern manifestation through a series of constant interactions between Korean premodern cultures and the modern foreign cultures.