The Festival of Korean Dance 2025 is an exciting annual event presented by the Korean Cultural Centre UK and The Place, which returns for its eighth year, offering audiences a chance to experience contemporary dance from South Korea. This year, the festival will present five leading South Korean dance companies and features an impressive lineup, including performances at venues across the UK such as The Place in London, Pavilion Dance South West, Dance City in Newcastle, and The Lowry in Salford. The festival will run from May 7 to May 24.
As the Director of the KCCUK, I am delighted to co-host the 8th Festival of Korean Dance with five Korean companies. We are particularly excited to see a wide variety of contemporary Korean dance performances in multiple cities across the UK as part of the festival, further enriching the cultural connections between Korea and the UK. – Dr. Seunghye Sun
Key Highlights of the Festival:
Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (KNCDC) – Jungle
The festival will open with a spectacular performance by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company. Jungle features a 17-strong ensemble which will show a vibrant and raw depiction of life in the jungle. Drawing inspiration from the company’s Process Init movement research method, choreographed by Sung-young Kim, Jungle uses instinctive, survival-driven movements to convey the primal forces of nature. This performance, which has already toured across Europe, will make its UK debut at The Place on May 7 and 8, marking the festival’s largest show to date.
Kontemporary Korea – 0g (Zero Grams) and A Complementary Set_Disappearing with an Impact
On May 9 and 15, the festival will feature 0g (Zero Grams) by the Melancholy Dance Company and A Complementary Set_Disappearing with an Impact by the Choi x Kang Project. 0g explores the theme of life’s meaning through repetitive and effortlessly pointless actions, inspired by the mythical figure Sisyphus. The piece plays with the concept of gravity, presenting a dynamic interplay between the body’s movements and its surroundings. A Complementary Set_Disappearing with an Impact combines video and live performance, using the screen as a canvas to battle with the performers’ physical presence. This piece depicts the gap between different dimensions, challenging the audience’s perception of reality.
From the raw energy of KoreaNational Contemporary Dance Company’s Jungle to Modern Table’s dynamic interpretation of Shakespeare’s classics with live rock in Ham:beth, we’re excited to be celebrating the bold creativity of Korea’s contemporary dance scene. With innovative works like Ji-hye Chung’s Shinsegae and the return of Melancholy Dance Company and Choi x Kang Project, the festival continues to push artistic boundaries and foster cultural exchange between Korea and the UK. – Jaeyeon Park, Senior Producer at the Korean Cultural Centre UK
Ji-hye Chung – Shinsegae
On May 13, Shinsegae, a UK debut by Ji-hye Chung, will present a beautiful performance dissecting the simple yet profound action of walking. By incorporating video imagery that likens the human body to a computer game, Shinsegae creates an interplay between the natural and artificial, encouraging the audience to reflect on the evolution of walking. The performance will make you rethink your perception of everyday movements and the body’s function in a contemporary, digital world.
On May 20 (Lowry) and May 23-24 (The Place), the festival will feature Ham:beth by Modern Table, an energetic, all-male dance troupe known for combining traditional Korean songs with a live rock band. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Macbeth, Ham:beth explores themes of madness, identity, and desire, using powerful choreography and dynamic performances to convey the tension of Shakespearean drama. The piece examines the struggles of individualism and conformity, with the dancers portraying intense characters battling societal pressures.
Venues and Dates:
- The Place, London – From May 7 to May 24, featuring Jungle (7-8 May), 0g and Shinsegae (13 May), and Ham:beth (23-24 May).
- Pavilion Dance South West – 9 May, 0g (Zero Grams).
- Dance City, Newcastle – 15 May, 0g (Zero Grams).
- Lowry, Salford – 20 May, Ham:beth.
The festival continues to promote cultural exchange between Korea and the UK, enhancing the cultural environment by highlighting the creativity and passion of South Korea’s contemporary dance scene. Through stunning choreography, multimedia integration, and engaging performances, the Festival of Korean Dance 2025 offers an exciting experience for all dance enthusiasts.
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