World star Gembe player settles down in Korea following love..Moonhee ♥ Ibe's love story
Jul 06, 2025
|
|
|
|
Moonhee, who has only been dancing since she was 8 years old. Starting with ballet, from Korean dance to modern dance, I fell in love with African dance that I came across while exploring dance regardless of genre. To study properly, she went on a journey to study in West Africa alone, and Moon-hee became a dancer who danced traditional West African dances unique to Korea.
Her husband, Ibe (a nickname for Ibrahim), who stands by Moon-hee. Ibe, a Zembe player from Ivory Coast, is a well-known figure in the African music industry as he has been active not only in his home country but also in Japan for a long time. Like in the movie, the two met at the airport by chance and formed a couple's relationship, and they have twin daughters Sarang (4) and Miye (4) and live happily together.
In Korea, it's not easy to live with unfamiliar African dances and music, but Moon-hee and Ibe cheer each other up by saying, `It's okay, everything has its time.' Let's go into their lives as hot as the African sun.
# 'Dance Master' A woman who lives in a dance and dies in a dance
Moon-hee, who goes to Cheonan today, Jeongseon tomorrow, and wherever she sings everywhere, shows passionate dance to the sound of her husband Ibe's Gembe. Moon-hee went to the U.S. as an exchange student in college and fell in love with the free and passionate African dance when she first encountered a dance of the genre of `Afro Contemporary.' Curious about what traditional African dance is, he went to study in West Africa and became the first Korean dancer to perform traditional West African dance.
However, the reality is that there are not many places that look for unfamiliar West African dances. Moon-hee has created a West African dance performance team called 'Ponique' to take the stage and raise his disciples to teach the public about West African dance.
# Moonhee and Ibe, we are a match made in heaven
Moon-hee and Ibe's movie-like relationship goes back nine years. We visited Ivory Coast on our own performance schedule and happened to meet at the airport. Mr. Ibe, a Gembe performer, was the No. 1 Gembe star who was active in Europe and Japan as well as his home country of Ivory Coast. The relationship began with the active courtship of Ibe, who fell in love with Moon-hee at first sight, and eventually succeeded in marriage after a year and a half of dating.
Ibe, who had a solid foundation enough to work as a model for three bands in Japan, chose to leave everything for Moon-hee and go to Korea. As a result of her love, she gave birth to her cute twin daughters Sarang (4) and Miye (4). Mr. Ibe, who is also the leader of the band 'Tegere' while standing on stage as the music director of the 'Ponique' team created by Moon Hee.
It's a pity that I can't live as much as I used to, but Ibe is happy with the stage with Moon-hee and the life with her family. The two people, who are 100 points when they are together, are literally a match made in heaven.
# A strong support. My parents are my strength
As summer approaches, Moon-hee and Ibe become busy. West African dance and music begin the long-awaited performance season as summer is the peak season. I spend weekdays in the practice room and perform on the stage on weekends. When a recruitment comes in, he has to go anywhere in the country, so he has no choice but to always be a mother to entrust his children.
Even when Moon-hee said she would go to Africa to learn dance, or when she said she would marry Ibe, her parents did not oppose it. I always supported Moon-hee's choice because I believed that she would do well no matter what she did. Now, he welcomes and cares about his son-in-law Ibe more than his daughter Moon-hee. Mr. Ibe often goes to help his parents who are farming in Ganghwa Island and helps them. Mr. Ibe's day is short to do music, help farming, and prepare for naturalization.
I'm worried that there aren't many stages to stand on, and I'm also worried about income that isn't fixed. Moon-hee and Ibe, who are struggling with their unique positivity, are endless to think about. Meet the two people who are happiest when dancing and playing together.
tokkig@sportschosun.com
