Subakchum is one of fine folk dances favoured by the Korean people from olden times. They liked to dance it, slapping different parts of the body with hands.

   It is known as a military folk dance handed down through generations in the region of the present Jagang Province. In the course of practising Korean martial art subakhui, the locals invented the dance. The dance consisting of the main movements of the martial art drew the attention of people and thus spread to other regions. 

   As its movements represent men’s courageous stamina, the dance is applied to the work to be performed by many male dancers.

   The dance is now not staged as an independent number, but its vigorous rhythms and brisk movements like stamping feet are applied to many dance pieces to depict the virility of men.

   It was registered as an Element No. 144 on the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage.