National Dance Company of Korea Premieres New Production 'We Had No Choice but to Move'

At CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center, May 23-25

The National Dance Company of Korea will present its first new original production of the 2025 season, 'We Had No Choice but to Move,' at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center from May 23 to 25.

This performance originates from a critical awareness of the structural issues within the Korean dance scene, where artists are compelled to keep moving and creating due to challenging production environments.

Director Ye Hyoseung explained, "The work began from my personal will and experience to recall the continuity and significance of past projects in a creative environment that constantly demands something new."

Rehearsal scene of the National Dance Company of Korea's 'We Had No Choice but to Move'
Photo by National Dance Company of Korea

The performance explores the internal values and real-world concerns of creators, sometimes with seriousness and sometimes with wit and playfulness. It highlights the uncertainty and survival issues faced by artists, while humorously depicting the creative instinct that compels them to keep moving on stage. Everyday physical activities such as marathon running and CrossFit are reinterpreted as physical language on stage.

The music is composed and performed live by Song Gwangho and his band. Direction and concept are led by Ye Hyoseung, with Park Jinyoung participating as a creation partner. Choreographers and dancers Kim Boram, Lee Daeho, Lee Jaeyoung, Jang Hyerim, Jung Cheolin, and Choi Sawol will collaboratively create and perform, presenting a diverse narrative of movement on stage.