SEOUL, May 13 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Ballet Theater has brought the acclaimed works of Swedish choreographer Johan Inger to South Korea for the first time, marking their Asian premiere with a powerful double bill titled Walking Mad & Bliss, which opened on May 9 at the M Theater in the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.
The performance began unconventionally, with a dancer emerging from the audience and lifting the stage curtain to the sound of birdsong—an invitation into a world of emotional and physical exploration.
The evening featured two signature works by Inger, winner of the 2016 Prix Benois de la Danse for Best Choreographer and a frequent collaborator with leading international dance companies. The pieces, Walking Mad and Bliss, offered contrasting meditations on the human condition.
Walking Mad is a psychological journey that uses a large, mobile wall as both physical structure and metaphor, representing internal barriers and emotional turbulence. Set to Maurice Ravel’s Boléro and Arvo Pärt’s Für Alina, the piece drew audiences into a crescendo of movement and sound.
Dancers shifted between absurd, yearning, and intimate gestures—highlighted by a repeated duet symbolizing the struggle to overcome inner boundaries.
In contrast, Bliss radiated energy and joy. Set to Keith Jarrett’s legendary 1975 Köln Concert, the dancers mirrored the music’s improvisational spirit with a gradually expanding ensemble performance. Movements evolved from spontaneous solos to synchronized group choreography, evoking a sense of collective euphoria.
Notable performances included guest principal Lee Sang-eun of the English National Ballet and Seoul Ballet’s Lee Jung-woo, whose duet in Walking Mad left a lingering emotional impact.
Following the premiere, Inger and the creative team took the stage to a standing ovation from an enthusiastic audience.
Walking Mad & Bliss runs through May 18, offering a rare opportunity for Korean audiences to experience the work of one of Europe’s most celebrated contemporary choreographers.
Image credit:Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Yonhap/photonews@koreabizwire.com
