Dancer and choreographer; chairman of Didim Dance Company; former head of the National Dance Company of Korea
| Life | 1948 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 담양 국씨 |
Guk Su-ho (b. 2 June 1948) is a dancer, dance scholar and choreographer from Wanju, Jeonbuk, of the Damyang Guk clan. He graduated in dance from Seorabeol Arts College, then in theatre and film at Chung-Ang University, and studied folklore in its graduate school. Learning men's dance from the Jeonju Samhyeon Seungmu master Jeong Hyeong-in from age 16, he joined the National Dance Company in 1973 and is recorded as Korea's first male professional dancer.
He became professor of dance at Chung-Ang in 1985, founded the Didim Dance Company in 1987 as chairman and artistic director, was artistic director of the Seoul Arts Troupe (1989-1990) and head of the National Dance Company (1996-1999), and is a trainee in Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 27, Seungmu. Wikipedia says he directed the choreography of the openings of the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the 2002 World Cup.
Works include Nongak (1971), Mudoyeo (1984), Dance of the Earth (1987), The Rite of Spring (1991), Empress Myeongseong (1994) and Korean Fantasy (2002); awards include the Korean Critics' Association Best Artist (1988) and a presidential commendation (1998). As a living person only public artistic activity is summarised.
He founded the company in 1987 and led it as chairman and artistic director.
He joined in 1973 and was head and artistic director in 1996-1999.
Not applicable (living person).