# Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea

The Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea (Korean: 리틀엔젤스예술단) is a South Korean traditional art and dance troupe made up of elementary and middle school children, founded in 1962 by Sun Myung Moon, the founder of the Unification Church, to project a positive image of South Korea to the world. In 1973 they performed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The group’s dances are based on Korean legends and regional dances, and its costumes on traditional Korean styles. Choral singing by the troupe in many languages is also featured.
The Little Angels are supported financially by the Tongil Group, a South Korean business group associated with the Unification Church, through the Tongil Foundation. The Little Angels are part of the Sunhwa Arts School. School fees are sponsored by Sunhwa Educational Foundation so that any talented girl can apply.

## History

Little Angels were established as Daehan Children's Art Troupe on May 5, 1962. It was the time, when South Korea was still recovering from the Korean War. From the very beginning, the mission of the school was to be ambassadors of peace and goodwill, and use creativity to counter the negative image of South Korea at that time, symbolized by famine, poverty, and abandonment, by spreading the 5,000-year-old Korean cultural traditions.
In 1965 permission was granted to establish the Little Angels art school for 720 students and 12 classes.
In 1974, the Little Angels Art Education Center was completed. The newly opened school, called Little Angels School of Arts, accepted 240 pupils. The school was opened by Bo-hi Pak who became the first principal of the school.
In 1975, Sunhwa Academy was founded and Bo-hi Pak was named the first president.
In 1976, Sunhwa Arts High School was accredited and the following year the school was renamed from Little Angels Art School to Sunhwa Art School and Little Angels Troupe become a part of the school with a broader artistic focus.
From 1965 to 1988 they performed over 2000 shows in 40 countries and until 2015 over 7000 shows and 70 foreign tours in 60 countries.
In 1990, they performed in Moscow and the then-Soviet First Lady Raisa Gorbacheva was also a guest.
In May 1998, they performed as part of the cultural diplomacy of the founders in Pyongyang, North Korea. The North Korean leadership subsequently sent a Pyongyang school team to tour South Korea in May 2000.
In 2010, on the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, the South Korean government with the Korean War 60th Anniversary Memorial Committee sponsored a Little Angels tour to all countries participating in the 1950 UN appeal for the defense of South Korea. Little Angels started their tour in Norfolk, United States because of ties of the city to General McArthur, who according to officiators turned the momentum of the war. Later that year they traveled to the other 15 nations that had sent troops to support South Korea in the UN force.

## Repertoire

The repertoire of Little Angels is classical Korean dance, singing, and playing traditional Korean musical instruments.
* Chorus – accompanied by their conductor at the piano singing international songs and tunes from Korea.
* Dances:
** New Years' Day – since 2021, Choreography Bae Jung-hae, the theme of the Lunar New Year (Seollal) celebration.
** Peace Road – since 2020, Choreography Bae Jung-hae, dance promoting Peace, global human family, harmony, and cooperation.
** Jinsoe Festival – an adaptation of the traditional Korean dance "Jinsoe Chum” with gwengwaris (small Korean gongs).
** Hwageom – dance inspired by the Wonhwa, ladies from the elite class of Hwarang in the Silla Dynasty.
** Palace – an adaptation of traditional court dances with hansam (flowing extended sleeves) movements.
** Miyal – dance drama of the Miyal story using a fan.
** Folk Singing with Gayageum – group performance with gayageum, a musical instrument that originated in the Gaya kingdom and passed on to the Shilla Dynasty.
** Moon Festival – performance of the Moon Festival (Ganggangsullae), in Korea symbolizing the defense of the fatherland. Dance Ganggangsullae is listed as UNESCO World Heritage.
** Doll Dance – dance inspired by a Korean tradition - a literal doll dance performed on the lunar new year.
** Farm Dance – an expression of the farmer’s thanksgiving during the fruitful autumn harvest season.
** Warrior’s Dance – inspired by general Kim Yu-sin and the Hwarang order in the 7th century, using a melody of the Ballad of Gyeongbuk Palace.
** Travel by Night – dance story from the Korean past, when grandfather carries his granddaughter through the night.
** Fan Dance – dance with a fan, which is the symbol of noblesse, a part of Korean tradition.
** Drum Dance – rhythmic dance with 6 standing drums symbolizes tensions between body and soul.
** Wedding Day – a dance story of a ludicrous wedding in ancient times, when a very young boy is called to take a much older bride.
** Hourglass Drum Dance – rhythmic dance with a long, hourglass-shaped drum.
** Toy Soldiers – dance of the toy soldiers to the music of the Radetzky March, first performed for Queen Elizabeth II. on November 15, 1971.
** Spring Time – dance of spring-time traditions.
** The Legend of Chunhyang – puppet-style dance story of the love and fidelity of Korean heroine Chunhyang towards her fiancé.
** Mask Dance – dance with masks of various kinds is a traditional part of local cultural festivals of ancient Korea.
** Flower Crown Dance – a modern adaptation of Korean traditional court dance.

## Discography

Albums:
* The Little Angels, Vinyl LP (Label: Philips – 6308 137), UK, Australia 1972
* The Little Angels Smile, Vinyl LP (Label: MGM Records – SE-4927, Special Products Division), US 1973
* The Little Angels, Vinyl LP (Label: Philips – 6308 137, Fontana – SEL-100092), South Korea, Jul 21, 1973
* 리틀 엔젤스 애창곡 (Little Angels Favorite Songs), CD (SKC SKCD-C-0003), South Korea, March 1, 1987
* The Little Angels Sing - X-Mas Cards, CD (SKC SKCD-0057),1987
* Les Petits Anges De Corée – Bienvenue À Séoul, CD (Label: Forlane – UCD 19014), 1988
* Little Angels Pyongyang Performance Special, CD 1998
* 공연실황 - 화관무/부채춤/강강수월래 (Live performance - Hwagwanmu / Fan dance / Ganggangsuwolae), Laser Disc (Label. SKC SKST-2003), 2003
* 리틀엔젤스예술단 – 창단 50주년 특집 (Little Angels Art Troupe – Special performance on the 50th anniversary of its founding), CD (self-released), 2012
Singles & EPs:
* The Little Angels National Folk Ballet Of Korea – Children Of The World Unite, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 270), Netherlands 1972
* The Little Angels National Folk Ballet Of Korea – Mother Of Mine, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 257), United Kingdom 1972
* The Little Angels – Dominique / Echo Of The Angels, Vinyl SP (Label: MGM Records – K-14657), US 1973
* The Little Angels – Children Of The World Unite, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – 6006 270), New Zealand 1973
* The Little Angels – Dominique / Mother Of Mine, Vinyl SP (Label: Philips – SFL 1768), Japan
* 8.15 광복절 기념 리틀엔젤스 합창곡 모음 (8.15 Liberation Day Celebration Little Angels Choral Songs), 2021

## Overseas tours

List of overseas tours:
| # | Tour name / program | From | To | Venue |
| 1 | 1st US Tour, including Special Performance for US President Eisenhower | 1965-09-20 | 1965-12-16 | Gettysburg, PA, US |
| 2 | 2nd US Tour, including Invitational Performance at the National Press Club, Washington, D.C. | 1966-10-27 | 1967-02-28 | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| 3 | North American Tour, including a week of Performances at the Lincoln Center, N.Y. at the request of the White House (first as a foreign institution) | 1967-10-27 | 1968-01-11 | United States and Canada |
| 4 | North America and Japan Tour including participation in the Mexico Olympics Culture & Art Festival (enhanced national prestige) | 1968-09-17 | 1969-02-04 | Mexico, United States, Japan |
| 5 | North America and Japan Tour including Special Performance for the U.S.A. President Nixon and British Prime Minister Heath at the request of the President | 1970-09-25 | 1971-01-25 | US, Japan & Canada |
| 6 | Europe Tour including a Performance at the British Royal Court at the request of Queen Elisabeth II. | 1971-08-27 | 1971-12-23 | Three Nations including Germany and UK |
| 7 | Europe Tour including a Meeting with Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands | 1972-10-07 | 1973-02-08 | Three Nations including the Netherlands, France |
| 8 | Special Fundraising Performance Tour for Rebuilding after the Vietnam War | 1972-11-09 | 1973-03-04 | Japan |
| 9 | World Tour including Special Performance for 50th Anniversary of the Republic of Turkey | 1973-07-06 | 1973-12-14 | Five Nations including Germany, Switzerland |
| 10 | North American Tour including Special Fundraising Performance for UNICEF at the UN General Assembly | 1973-08-27 | 1973-12-23 | US & Canada |
| 11 | North American Tour including Expo'74, World's Fair, in Spokane, Washington | 1974-05-28 | 1974-10-12 | US & Canada |
| 12 | World Tour including Courtesy Call & Performance for first Tunisian President Bourguiba | 1974-07-28 | 1974-11-24 | 19 Nations including Taiwan, Philippines |
| 13 | World Tour including Courtesy Call to Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Fukuda | 1974-10-12 | 1975-02-14 | Six Nations including Japan |
| 14 | World Tour including a Courtesy Call & Special Performance for Chile President Pinochet and the First Lady | 1975-05-30 | 1975-10-14 | 11 Nations including US, Canada |
| 15 | US and Europe tour including 4th Conference of the International Association of University Presidents in Boston | 1975-08-28 | 1976-02-13 | Three nations including the US, Germany |
| 16 | Special Congratulatory Performance for the 200th Anniversary of US Independence | 1976-05-26 | 1976-11-02 | US & Canada |
| 17 | Special Performance for Korea Day during the Tsukuba International Exposition | 1985-05-12 | 1985-05-19 | Tsukuba, Japan |
| 18 | Tour in Japan | 1990-01-15 | 1990-01-27 | Cities in Japan including Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka |
| 19 | Soviet Union Fundraising Performance for Children's Welfare | 1990-04-07 | 1990-04-18 | The Soviet Union |
| 20 | 4 - City Tour in Taiwan | 1990-07-10 | 1990-07-22 | Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Kaohsiung |
| 21 | Performance in Live International Telethon in Russia | 1991-12-29 | 1992-01-14 | Russia |
| 22 | Tour in the US | 1992-01-10 | 1992-01-31 | Locations in the US including NY, New Jersey, Florida |
| 23 | Ten - Performance Tour in Japan | 1992-07-20 | 1992-08-13 | Cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Sendai, Nagoya |
| 24 | Tour to Major US Cities | 1993-01-12 | 1993-02-04 | Carnegie Hall (NY) & Kennedy Center (Washington, DC) |
| 25 | 14 - City Tour in Japan | 1993-07-25 | 1993-08-19 | 14 cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka |
| 26 | China Tour including Participation in the Opening Ceremony of CIGF (China International Garment and Textile Fair Dalian) | 1994-07-28 | 1994-08-26 | Taiwan & China |
| 27 | 14 Performances in Malaysia & Thailand | 1996-01-01 | 1996-01-15 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & Bangkok, Thailand |
| 28 | 12 - City Tour in Japan | 1996-01-04 | 1996-01-28 | 12 cities in Japan including Hokkaido, Aomori |
| 29 | Special Live Performance for Israel National Television, CH2 | 1996-07-31 | 1996-08-18 | Israel |
| 30 | 11 - City Tour in Japan | 1997-01-04 | 1997-01-21 | 11 cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Nagasaki |
| 31 | 22 - Performance South American Tour | 1997-07-20 | 1997-08-23 | Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay |
| 32 | 13 - City Tour in Japan | 1997-08-04 | 1997-08-31 | 13 cities in Japan including Hokkaido, Sendai |
| 33 | 12 - City Tour in Japan | 1998-01-12 | 1998-01-31 | 12 cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Okazaki |
| 34 | Three Performances in North Korea Supporting Reconciliation and Cooperation between North and South Korea | 1998-05-01 | 1998-05-12 | Pyongyang, North Korea |
| 35 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 1998-07-22 | 1998-08-20 | Ten cities in Japan including Nagano, Chiba, Osaka |
| 36 | Nine-City Tour in Japan | 1999-08-04 | 1999-08-23 | Nine cities in Japan including Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kobe |
| 37 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2000-07-28 | 2000-08-13 | Seven cities in Japan including Miyagi, Gunma, Tokyo |
| 38 | Ten-City Tour in the US | 2001-01-01 | 2001-02-03 | Ten cities in the US including NY, Washington, San Antonio |
| 39 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 2001-01-12 | 2001-01-28 | Ten cities in Japan including Tokyo, Hiroshima |
| 40 | Tour Commemorating the 10th Anniversary of Korea - China Diplomatic Relations | 2001-07-12 | 2001-07-21 | China |
| 41 | Six-City Tour in Japan | 2001-07-29 | 2001-08-09 | Six cities in Japan including Sapporo, Nagano, Maeba |
| 42 | Ten-City Tour in Japan | 2002-07-29 | 2002-08-12 | Ten cities in Japan including Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto |
| 43 | Ten-City Tour in the US | 2003-01-19 | 2003-03-05 | Ten cities in the US including Chicago, NY, Washington |
| 44 | Conference on the Reunification of North & South Korea and Peace in Asia | 2003-02-10 | 2003-02-12 | International Conference Hall, Osaka, Japan Kansai |
| 45 | Special Performance in Shanghai for the Promotion of Culture & Art | 2003-10-23 | 2003-10-27 | Shanghai, China |
| 46 | Six-City Japan Tour | 2004-02-04 | 2004-02-20 | Six cities in Japan including Fukuoka, Hiroshima |
| 47 | Celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Korean Immigration to the US | 2004-02-09 | 2004-03-05 | US Tour |
| 48 | Korean Wave Festival in Beijing | 2004-07-14 | 2004-07-17 | The Great Hall of the People, Beijing, China |
| 49 | Nine-City Tour in Japan | 2005-07-26 | 2005-08-13 | Nine cities in Japan including Tokyo, Sendai |
| 50 | ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Plenipotentiary Conference 2006 | 2006-11-07 | 2006-11-15 | Antalya, Turkey |
| 51 | Five-City Tour in the US | 2007-01-10 | 2007-01-30 | Five cities in the US including Chicago, and Detroit. |
| 52 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2007-07-25 | 2007-08-08 | Seven cities in Japan including Tokyo, and Osaka. |
| 53 | Special Performance supporting the bid to Host Expo 2012 in Yeosu Korea | 2007-11-21 | 2007-11-28 | Paris, France |
| 54 | Seven-City Tour in Japan | 2008-07-29 | 2008-08-13 | Seven cities in Japan including Tokyo, Fukuoka |
| 55 | Seven-City Tour in the US | 2009-01-13 | 2009-02-21 | Seven cities in the US including Saint Louis, Burlington |
| 56 | Congratulatory Performance for the Opening of the 2009 Rotary International Convention | 2009-06-19 | 2009-06-25 | Birmingham, UK |
| 57 | Invitational Performance in Qatar | 2009-10-24 | 2009-10-29 | Doha, Qatar |
| 58 | 1st Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-06-06 | 2010-07-09 | US, Canada & Columbia |
| 59 | 2nd Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-09-07 | 2010-10-13 | 7 European Nations & 2 African Nations |
| 60 | 3rd Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to 16 UN Member Nations to Honor Korean War Veterans | 2010-11-07 | 2010-12-07 | 4 Southeast Asian Nations |
| 61 | Nepal - Korea Goodwill Cultural Exchange | 2011-02-21 | 2011-02-28 | Nepal |
| 62 | Korean War 60th Anniversary World Peace Tour to Countries that Dispatched Medical Units during the Korean War | 2011-05-14 | 2011-06-13 | 5 European Nations & 1 African Nation |
| 63 | Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 | 2011-09-07 | 2011-09-14 | New York, US |
| 64 | Special Performance for Mongolia - Korea Cultural Exchange | 2011-11-05 | 2011-11-11 | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia |
| 65 | World Peace Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War to Countries that Dispatched Medical Units during the Korean War, guest chief minister Sheila Dikshit | 2011-11-19 | 2011-11-25 | New Delhi, India |
| 66 | World Peace Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War - Western US Region | 2012-02-06 | 2012-02-20 | The Western region of the US |
| 67 | Tour Commemorating the 59th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice (invited by Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs) | 2012-07-24 | 2012-07-31 | Washington, DC, US |
| 68 | Tour Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice (Banquet Honoring Korean War Veterans) | 2013-07-25 | 2013-07-30 | Washington, DC, US |
| 69 | Special Performance for KOREA FESTIVAL 2013 in Singapore; invited by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore | 2013-10-23 | 2013-10-28 | EXPO Singapore |
| 70 | Little Angels Tour of Europe Celebrating the 70th Anniversary of Korea's Liberation | 2015-05-06 | 2015-05-19 | Austria, Frankfurt & London |
| 71 | Special Tour of Japan Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Korea - Japan Diplomatic Relations | 2015-11-22 | 2015-12-04 | 4 Cities in Japan: Tokyo, Kobe, Hiroshima & Fukuoka |
| 72 | Congratulatory Performance for the Launch of IAPP Asia - Oceania | 2016-07-26 | 2016-08-02 | Kathmandu, Nepal |
| 73 | Congratulatory Performances for the Launch of IAPP | 2016-11-26 | 2016-12-05 | National Theater, Washington, DC; Manhattan Center, New York |
| 74 | Korea - Malaysia Peace Tour & Goodwill Performance | 2017-01-10 | 2017-01-19 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| 75 | Special Performance for the Launch of YSP Asia - Oceania | 2017-06-10 | 2017-06-16 | Impact Arena, Bangkok, Thailand |
| 76 | Commemorative Celebration of Moon Jae-in’s presidential state visit to China. Korean - China Cultural Exchange Night | 2015-11-11 | 2015-11-15 | Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China |
| 77 | Congratulatory Performance for the Launch of IAPP, Heavenly Africa | 2018-01-15 | 2018-01-25 | CICAD, Dakar, Senegal, Africa |
| 78 | Hamina Tattoo International Military Music Festival | 2018-07-30 | 2018-08-04 | Bastian, Hamina, Finland |
| 79 | Little Angels Japan Tour | 2019-01-16 | 2019-01-20 | Omiya Sonic City, Tokyo |
| 80 | Special Performance to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Colombia's independence, at the invitation of the Embassy of Colombia, Seoul. | 2019-07-05 | 2019-07-07 | Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Bogota, Colombia |
| 81 | Little Angels Japan tour | 2019-10-04 | 2019-10-08 | Aichi Sky Expo |

## Notable alumni

* Sumi Jo - operatic soprano
* Young-ok Shin - coloratura soprano
* Kang Sue-jin - primabalerina in Stuttgart ballet
* Park, Han-byul - actress and model
* Hwang, Jung-eum - actress and singer
* Hoon-suk Moon - director of Universal Ballet
* Deok-su Kim - professor at Korea National University of Arts
* Shim Sook-kyung - choreographer of the National Gugak Center
* Lee No-yeon - chief choreographer of Busan City Dance Company
* Hong Kyung-hee - director of Jeonbuk Provincial Dance Company
* Nam Ki-moon - representative of Samulnori, National Gugak Center
* Shin Myung-sook - head of the Department of Dance and Art at Daejin University
* Kwak Eun-ah - professor of Korean Music at Ewha Womans University
* Jeon Eun-ja - professor of dance at Sungkyunkwan University
* Kim Woon-mi - professor of dance at Hanyang University
* Yu-oh Jeon - professor of dance at Seowon University
* Eun-young Park - KBS announcer

## Gallery

* Dancers of the Little Angels performed Buchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance at a performing arts centre in Seoul.
* Members of Little Angels performing Drum Dance
* Artists in Schiphol before they perform for UNICEF in 1972