SEOUL, March 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Six dancers wielding forearm-length daggers and four with leg-length swords in both hands began their intricate dance to the beat of drums. As those with daggers raised their blades around their shoulders and necks, the weapons spun and jingled like bells. At center stage, dancers with long swords crossed blades as if in combat, spinning in place with precise cutting motions.
In a preview performance at the National Theater of Korea on Monday, the National Dance Company’s new production “Beauty” displayed an elegant fusion of traditional Korean dance with contemporary aesthetics. Despite the intensity of clashing metal and rapid spinning movements, the all-female cast maintained an air of sophistication with subtle smiles and composed expressions.
“Through the women’s dance, we aim to present a new ‘portrait of beauty’ for the 21st century,” said director Yang Jung-woong at a press briefing following the preview. “We want to showcase not just the classical beauty found in Shin Yun-bok’s famous painting ‘A Beautiful Woman,’ but various forms of contemporary beauty as well.”
The production features modern interpretations of 11 traditional Korean dances, including sword dance, fan dance, and drum dance. It incorporates spectacular visual elements, including a massive 6.5-meter air balloon prop, blending Korean aesthetic traditions with contemporary sensibilities.
Choreographer Jung Bo-kyung, recently known for her role as a Korean dance coach on the TV show “Stage Fighter,” has reimagined traditional folk dances for the all-female cast of 29 dancers. In a notable departure from tradition, the masked dance (talchum), typically performed by male dancers, will be performed without masks. “I was confident that dancers could express everything through their bodies without masks,” Jung explained.
The creative team includes an impressive roster of artists: Jang Young-gyu, bassist of the hit band Leenalchi, as music director; Shin Ho-seung, known for directing K-pop music videos for artists like aespa and IVE, as art director; and Suh Young-hee, who led Vogue Korea for 30 years, as costume designer.
“Like the folk dances that incorporate movements from various regions and social classes, our creative team’s different tastes are colliding and harmonizing to create something unique,” said Yang.
The production will run from April 3 to 6 at the National Theater of Korea’s Haeoreum Grand Theater.
Image credit: Yonhap / photonews@koreabizwire.com
