SEOUL \u2013 A sculpture in Sejong city that was taken down for \u201clooking like a grim reaper\u201d may be reinstalled amid the global popularity of the movie\u00a0KPop\u00a0Demon Hunters, local news outlets reported on Sept 4.<\/p>\n
The sculpture was first installed in December 2013 in front of the National Tax Service building at the government complex in Sejong, a central South Korean city.<\/p>\n
The work, Joyful Korean Melody, depicts a man in traditional Korean attire, complete with the hat \u201cgat\u201d. <\/p>\n
He performs the \u201challyangmu\u201d, a traditional dance, with his arms outstretched as if preparing to take flight. <\/p>\n
The sculpture was one of six pieces commissioned through a public contest with a budget of 1.1 billion won (S$1 million). The sculpture itself was valued at around 105 million won. <\/p>\n
According to its description, the piece was meant to capture a moment from the dance that emphasises grace and dignity. <\/p>\n
Despite the artist\u2019s intention, though, many residents and public officials complained it looked \u201cscary\u201d, with the dancer\u2019s smiling face and attire reminding them of a grim reaper. <\/p>\n
At night or in bad weather, they said, the lighting and cold metal material made the work look even more eerie. <\/p>\n
After repeated complaints, the sculpture was moved about 100m from its original site before being dismantled in 2016. <\/p>\n