ACC and Korea National Contemporary Dance Company Launch Regional Collaboration Project 'Coreo Connection'

'Coreo Connection' poster. Provided by National Asia Culture Center

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's National Asia Culture Center (ACC) and the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company (led by Artistic Director Kim Sungyong) will present their joint regional collaboration project, 'Coreo Connection,' on the stage of Theater 2 at the ACC Arts Theater on September 6.

According to the ACC on August 13, three choreographers-Ki Eunju, Kim Hyunjae, and Ahn Sunhee-who were selected through a nationwide audition by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company in February, will participate in this year's 'Coreo Connection.' Each choreographer will explore facets of contemporary society and the depths of the human psyche through their own perspectives and artistic languages.

'Coreo Connection' is a project newly launched last year by the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company, focusing on discovering experimental approaches and contemporary viewpoints of choreographers working in various regions. The core of the project is to move beyond Seoul-centric creative environments and express the unique cultural sensitivities of each region through the artistic language of local choreographers. This year, the project aims to enhance the quality of the stage production and strengthen solidarity with the regional arts ecosystem through an exclusive collaboration with the ACC.

First, choreographer Ki Eunju (Jeju) presents 'Vanished Portrait,' which focuses on the sensation of loss. Beginning with the fundamental questions, "Who am I, and where are we now?", the piece captures the increasingly blurred outline of the self in everyday life deeply permeated by technology such as digital platforms and smart devices. Through choreography, it sensually reveals the precarious existence of humans teetering on the boundary between reality and virtuality.

Choreographer Kim Hyunjae (Gwangju) presents 'Forms of Love,' which views love not merely as an expression of emotion but as a fundamental energy of human existence. Starting from the recognition that love shapes our identity and serves as the driving force that sustains life, the work visualizes the waves of emotion through the body's vibrations and flows. It is a piece that compels the audience to confront the traces created by love and the 'present self' shaped by those traces, all through the body.

Choreographer Ahn Sunhee (Busan) presents 'Double-Layered Body,' which interprets the human body as a dual structure. The work places the visible layer of physical function and structure alongside the inner layer of metaphor and sensation, exploring the tension and intersections between these two layers. Through movements that are both strong and delicate, the piece draws out the hidden meanings within the existence of the 'body,' presenting the complex textures of the human form in a multidimensional way on stage.

Further details about the performance can be found on the ACC website. The show is open to audiences aged seven and older, and all seats are priced at 18,000 won.

Kim Sangwook, Director of the National Asia Culture Center, stated, "We hope that this performance will provide a stable foundation for regional choreographers to expand their artistic domains and capabilities," adding, "We will continue to devote much attention and effort to help regional talents grow into world-class artists."