(C) Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
SEOUL – In a historic moment for the South Korean performing arts, the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre’s One Dance (Ilmu) has secured a prestigious victory at the New York Dance & Performance Awards, famously known as the Bessie Awards. This marks the first time a production by a Korean public arts institution has received the honor, often referred to as the "Oscars of the dance world."
The award recognizes choreographers Jung Hye-jin, Kim Sung-hoon, and Kim Jae-duck for their work on One Dance, which premiered in New York at the Lincoln Center in 2023. The piece triumphed over formidable finalists, including world-renowned Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter, solidifying its status as one of the most innovative works to grace the New York stage this season.
A Modern Vision of Ancient Ritual One Dance is a bold reimagining of the Ilmu, the ritual dance performed during the Jongmyo Jeryeak, a UNESCO-recognized ancestral rite of the Joseon Dynasty. While rooted in the 15th-century legacy of King Sejong the Great, the production breathes contemporary life into tradition. It also features a large-scale reinterpretation of Chunaengmu (Dance of the Spring Nightingale), originally a solo court dance created by Prince Hyomyeong.
"I believe the judges saw the exquisite harmony between the serene stillness of the East and the dynamic energy of the West," said Creative Director Jung Ku-ho during a celebratory press conference in Seoul on Wednesday. "We didn't just preserve the tradition; we reinterpreted it through a modern lens in terms of choreography, aesthetics, and music."
Collaborative Excellence The success of the production is attributed to a unique "trinity" of choreography. Jung Hye-jin, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre, brought her expertise in traditional dance, while younger choreographers Kim Sung-hoon and Kim Jae-duck infused the work with experimental, contemporary movements.
"We performed a true collaboration, respecting each other's opinions and listening thoughtfully," Jung Hye-jin remarked. She also extended her gratitude to the dancers, noting that the "lines and columns" of One Dance require absolute precision. "If one person is out of sync, the audience knows. Our dancers endured great pain to achieve this level of perfection."
The Road Ahead The Bessie Award has already sparked significant international interest. Ahn Ho-sang, CEO of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, revealed that several major overseas venues are currently in talks to host the production.
"The real reward of this win is the influx of requests from global theaters," Ahn said. "While the sheer scale of One Dance makes logistics a challenge, we are committed to expanding its reach and ensuring its longevity as a staple of the global repertoire."
As the creative team looks to the future, they remain humble, crediting the ancestors who laid the foundation for Korean art. "I want to thank King Sejong and Prince Hyomyeong for allowing us to realize One Dance," said choreographer Kim Jae-duck. "I hope this work continues to evolve and proves that our tradition can be world-class when refined with modern sensibilities."
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