The Dance of Korea That Enthralled the World... National Dance Company’s 'Mukhyang' Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Next Month 14-17 at National Theater Haerum
Events Including Audience Talk and Dancer Autograph Session

The National Dance Company, the resident troupe of the National Theater, will reunite with audiences through the 10th anniversary performance of its representative repertoire, 'Mukhyang'.

Poster for the 10th Anniversary Performance of the National Dance Company’s 'Mukhyang'.
[Photo by National Dance Company]

'Mukhyang' has been a successful work on domestic and international stages since its premiere in 2013, steadily enhancing its completeness through 43 performances in 10 countries over the past decade.

This performance will take place from December 14 to 17 at the Haerum Theater. It is the first domestic performance of 'Mukhyang' in four years.

'Mukhyang' is a work that embodies the refined spirit of a scholar through the four noble plants?plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo?symbolizing the four gentlemen, unfolding like an ink wash painting. Choreographed by Yoon Sung-joo, former artistic director of the National Dance Company, inspired by the late Choi Hyun's 'Gunja Dance,' and directed by Jung Gu-ho, who has built a distinctive style with concise formal beauty, the work’s completeness was elevated.

At its premiere, the elements constituting the work?dance, costumes, music?maintained traditional forms as much as possible, and with an extremely refined stage aesthetic, it was praised for redefining contemporary Korean dance. It was restaged six months after its premiere and entered the global stage the following year, quickly establishing itself as a hit for the National Dance Company.

Moreover, it has been recognized as a work that led the globalization of tradition through performances in Japan, Hong Kong, France, Denmark, Hungary, Serbia, and more. Recently, it spearheaded the Korean dance wave in North America with enthusiastic reception from audiences and critics at the National Arts Centre in Canada and the John F. Kennedy Center in the United States.

National Dance Company Mukhyang 'Ojuk'
[Photo by National Dance Company]

Composed of six chapters, 'Mukhyang' expresses the beginning and end sections in white and black colors imbued with the scent of ink, while chapters 2 to 5 depict the four seasons symbolized by plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo in vibrant colors. The choreography, condensing the aesthetics of Korean dance, expresses the beauty of stillness and motion with simple yet profound breathing. The intense colors and sophisticated visuals that dominate the stage create each moment as if it were a painting.

Choreographer Yoon Sung-joo said, "The core of the work lies in the continuous long and short breaths and the subtle movements of the delicate beoseon (traditional Korean socks) glimpsed beneath the hem," adding, "From the traces of these detailed movements, one can feel the unique color and fragrance of Korean dance."

Director Jung Gu-ho explained, "'Mukhyang' is a work that shows the infinite depth and dignity of 'traditional dance' or 'Korean dance,' which is a precious asset of the National Dance Company," and added, "By extracting the roots and essence of Korean dance and expressing them in a modern way, audiences will discover the most evolved form of tradition."

After the performance on December 17, a 'Talk with the Audience' session is scheduled, where the production team and cast who have been part of the work for 10 years will discuss the piece. On December 15 and 16, autograph sessions with the dancers will be held.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.