What events do you have in your neighborhood? In our neighborhood, Ulsan, we have a traditional event named Cheoyong Cultural Festival. The Cheoyong Cultural Festival has a lot of events, and it is held in October.

▲ Real Cheoyong Mask

Cheoyong Cultural Festival was first started on April 20, 1967 when Ulsan was raised to the status of a city. Cheoyong Cultural Festival is held in October. Moreover, it is designated as Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. #39. Cheoyong is a character who became the symbol of protection against the epidemic. There is an interesting story about why Cheoyong became the symbol of protection against the epidemic. When Cheoyong entered his house late at night, he saw another man on his bed sleeping with his wife. Rather than getting angry, Cheoyong sang a song and left. The man knelt before Cheoyong. He was moved by his grandeur and made a promise. He vowed never to enter the door wherever Cheoyong's figure is. There are a lot of events at Cheoyong Cultural Festival. The people who come to participate in Cheoyong Cultural Festival can learn a lot of information about Cheoyong and can see the portraits of Cheoyong. Also, they can make masks of Cheoyond which can repel ghost. One of the poeple who participated in Cheoyong Cultural Festival last year said that he was able to get a lot of knowledge and be participated in various events.

▲ Face of Cheoyong

However,the life story of Cheoyong is also expressed in a lot of ways. One example of them is drama. The dance drama is based on Korea's centuries-old folktale of Cheoyong who supposedly lived in United Silla in the 9th century. According to a folktale book called "Samguk Yusa," or "Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms" compiled in the 13th century, the fictional figure of Cheoyong, the son of a dragon king, saved his wife from the evil spirit of pestilence through singing and dancing. The UNESCO-listed Cheoyongmu originated from this legend, and it is now considered the nation's oldest surviving Korean court mask dance. The mask dance has also shamanistic roots, as it used to be performed at the end of the year to drive off evil spirits.

By Kim Geon Woo