When a male voice boisterously announced the start of Dong Choon Circus Troupe's daily show on a sunny afternoon on March 8, about 20 audience members ― from a young couple in their 20s to a group of elderly patrons ― gave a generous round of applause.

The visitors are appreciative because the day's show in the 600-seat yellow tent on Daebu Island in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, would have been cancelled if there were fewer than 10 people, according to circus policy.

Fifteen nerve-wrecking displays ran for 90 minutes on stage, beside which a banner reading "Tradition and Trust Established Since 1925" and "From Memory to Art Circus" hung from ceiling.

The performers ― 10 women and nine men ― ended the show by presenting themselves to the audience. The voice that started the show bade farewell to patrons, reminding them not to leave anything behind.

Korea's oldest and most tenacious circus troupe ― with 15 other groups having vanished decades ago ― was not familiar to all the patrons.

An elderly man, who came with his wife and baby grandson from Gwanak-gu, southern Seoul, knew about the troupe's history and visited the tent out of "poignant memory."