From the 14th to the 17th at the National Theater Haerum Theater
"The reason this work has lasted for 10 years is not just my own effort but the effort of everyone. I believe that the current work was completed through the power of that collective effort."
The National Theater (Theater Director Park In-geon) National Dance Company’s representative repertoire 'Mukhyang' returns to the stage on its 10th anniversary.
At the 'Mukhyang' press conference held on the 13th at the National Theater Haeoreum Theater in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, choreographer Yoon Sung-joo (former director of the National Dance Company) said, "The 43rd performance is a rare case even domestically, and personally, it is truly an honor. I hope that just like the past 10 years, for the next 10 years and beyond, our dance can play a significant role as K-dance in the world."
'Mukhyang' is a work composed of six acts themed around the beginning and end of the day and the Four Gentlemen (plum blossom, orchid, chrysanthemum, and bamboo). It is a piece that captures the spirit of the scholar in the Four Gentlemen like an ink wash painting. Creative director Jung Koo-ho was in charge of the production, and choreography was by former artistic director Yoon Sung-joo of the National Dance Company. At its premiere, it received praise not only from critics but also from the audience.
Embodying the beauty of tradition in a simple mise-en-sc?ne, 'Mukhyang' expanded the dignity and value of Korean tradition. Over the past 10 years, it has been performed 43 times in 10 countries including Japan, France, and Hungary, receiving great love overseas as well.
Former director Yoon said, "When we first prepared the work, we planned to focus only on the Four Gentlemen, but we added the beginning and end of the day to make it six acts. Like the Indian poet Tagore called Korea 'the Land of the Morning Calm,' I wanted to express that feeling in the beginning act. I wanted to create a stage like a bright white canvas where scholars dressed in white clothes open up the colors of the East."
Kim Mi-ae, a dancer who both guided and performed in this production with the National Dance Company, said, "It is a moving and happy moment to have performed in the same work for 10 years and still be able to step on stage with a trembling heart without forgetting my original intention. Life is connected by beginnings and endings of relationships, and the time I spent worrying when I performed as the ‘plum blossom’ in Mukhyang 10 years ago makes me think about how I should approach this work now as I perform it again."
This year, 'Mukhyang' introduced the beauty of Korean dance movements to North American audiences through performances in Canada and Washington. Former director Yoon explained, "Elements of our traditional dance include the stepping of beoseon feet, hand movements, arm gestures, and the unique left-right swaying found only in Korean dance. Especially, the dance movements that sway the body left and right exist only in our country. Our dance, which contains the emotions unique to Koreans, seems to be felt more freshly abroad."
He continued, "The most important thing in Korean dance is breathing. We can freely adjust breathing depending on the dancer’s condition and how the dancer deconstructs the music. Even with double casting, completely different dance movements emerge because of individual personality. This originality might be why our dance is loved more overseas." He highlighted the charm of 'Mukhyang' that resonates globally beyond Korea and the characteristics of Korean dance.
Dancer Kim Mi-ae said, "I often heard that the 'Mukhyang' performance looks like a sophisticated and dignified painting on stage. While directing this performance, I was able to see the overall flow and picture that was difficult to grasp just by performing, and I felt deeply moved."
Yoon Seong-ju, former director of the National Dance Company, dancer Kim Mi-ae, and member Jeong Gwan-young [Photo provided by National Theater]
Additionally, Kim Mi-ae said, "This work is a delicate mix of East and West, so it might seem like a new piece, but it has the dignity of tradition. Even when bringing in modern mise-en-sc?ne, costumes, and Western aesthetic sensibilities, it blends well on stage without awkwardness. Visually, it might be something new, stimulating, and fresh at first, but I hope that when the audience leaves, they think, ‘This is truly ours,’ and take away the deep charm of our Korean dance."
The National Dance Company’s 'Mukhyang' will be performed at the National Theater Haeoreum Theater from the 14th to the 17th.
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