CBT: How did you start Korean traditional dancing?
Lee Jin-ho: In fact, I wanted to be an actor, so I entered into the school of art. The principal said if I wanted to be an actor, I needed to know my body to be a great actor. Therefore, I took a course of dance. In former times, there were no male dancers, so I had to dance with many women. It was a hard time for me. I originally wanted to change my major because my dream was to be an actor. However, I met a good teacher, and I continued to dance, finally deciding to major in Korea traditional dancing.
CBT: Your dream primarily was to be an actor. Have you ever regretted choosing your major?
Lee: For my dream, I wanted to change my major to drama before my second semester began. At that time, ‘Dancing’ was a strange word to people. My parents wondered why I chose dancing. However, I was happy because I met lots of good people. For that reason, I don’t have any regrets. I think my teacher helped me a lot to acquire my success. I would like to thank those people who helped me became the chief of the national center even though my ability was average. Nowadays, I am always in agony about how to give what I received to future artists.
CBT: What is your opinion about how to advance Korean traditional dancing?
Lee: It is hard to predict how Korean traditional dancing will advance. Nowadays, there are more artistic geniuses, and their creative thinking power is superior. Also, techniques are better than they have ever been because there is more creative exchange between artists. For this reason, I can’t explain the possibilities about the growth of Korean traditional dancing. We create a play, and then reviewers write a critique. After the dancing is created by artists, the theory is made.
CBT: Give some advice for CBNU students.
Lee: I would like to strongly emphasize time. I had experience when I wasted time before. Those times were the most terrible in my life, and I always regret that. Everybody thinks about time. However, people, who are expressly students, should think more about time. Everyone has the same amount of time. The most important thing is how to perfectly use the time. If you do not spend time wisely, no one can spend your time instead of you.