This study aims to identify the artistic sociological aspects of Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy by comparing and analyzing it with Arnold Hauser’s theory of the sociology of art. As a research method, I analyze Choi Seung-hee’s magazine article, focusing on “The Korean People and Dance”, and examine conceptual similarities with Hauser’s theory. The findings reveal strong correlations between the two theories, particularly in the historical and social natures of art, the concept of alienation, the dual structure of popular and fine arts, and the critique of formalism. Considering the socio-cultural context of the 1930s, this study suggests that Hauser’s theory may have influenced Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy. This research presents an integrated approach combining practice and theory and emphasizes the need for further in-depth studies on the sociological aspects of Choi Seung-hee’s dance philosophy.

Korean traditional dance is a well-established traditional art as years go by. Recently, Korean traditional dances have seen renewed popularity, but in the process, new interpretations and transformations have eroded the historical and spiritual values inherited in these traditional dances. This study is to rediscover these historical and spiritual values by re-examining the life and dance philosophy of Han Sung-Jun (韓成俊, 1874-1941), and how these had been handed down to Han Youn-sook and Lee Ae-ju. The research reviews existing literature with comprehensive and in-depth analysis. Han Sung-Jun, who came from a long line of dance artists who inherited and developed dance practices reflecting the unique identity of the Korean people, believed that it was through dancing that the human body could truly manifest its natural vitality and emphasized patient learning and training. Han Sung-jun's philosophy was passed on to his granddaughter, Han Young-sook (韓英淑, 1920-1989), who emphasized the exclusion of foreign imitation and of exaggeration by utilizing the spontaneous characteristics of Korean dance. She particularly criticized the blind following/copying of foreign dances and emphasized a focus on traditional Korean dances. Lee Ae-ju (李愛珠, 1947-), who in turn inherited the school of thought from Han Young-sook, took the view that it was through dance training that the mind and soul could have release towards full realization of the human nature. She emphasized the training that all of the body's energy sprang from the lower abdomen to introspect within oneself and served as the foundation for all Korean traditional songs and dance.