Festival of Korean dance makes Scottish debut, expands across UK with diverse performances

The Festival of Korean Dance is making its Scottish debut as it returns to London for its seventh year, expanding its presence across the UK with performances scheduled in Glasgow, London, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Manchester from the 16^th May until the 4^th June. The festival, which celebrates contemporary and traditional Korean dance, will kick off with a double bill featuring Tomorrowisnowtodayisyesterday by Sung Im Her and Flight by Melancholy Dance Company at Tramway, Glasgow. Additional performances include Burnt Offering by 99Artcompany and Cheok by Ae-soon Ahn, who is making her UK debut.

This year’s festival, produced in partnership with The Place, the Korean Cultural Centre and the Korea Arts Management Service, will tour to Pavilion Dance South East, Dance City and The Lowry. The shows aim to explore the impact of social media, the joys of soaring and the integration of traditional Asian values into contemporary narratives.

Christina Elliot, Head of Programming and Producing at The Place, expressed enthusiasm about the nationwide celebration of Korean dance and highlighted the partnership’s role in bringing Sung Im Her’s Tomorrowisnowtodayisyesterday and Ae-soon Ahn’s Cheok to the UK audience. She remarked, “We’re delighted to be collaborating with our friends at Korean Cultural Centre UK, Korea Arts Management Service, Asia Culture Center Foundation, Tramway, Dance City, Pavilion Dance South West and The Lowry, to present what is now a nationwide celebration of Korean dance. We’re particularly pleased to be welcoming our co-commission with Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Sung Im Her’s Tomorrowisnowtodayisyesterday, to London, following its premiere in Seoul last year, and to be hosting revered choreographer Ae-Soon Ahn’s first performances in the UK, with her monumental work Cheok.”

Jaeyeon Park, Senior Producer at the Korean Cultural Centre UK, shared her excitement about the festival’s expansion and the inclusion of new venues and performances. “We are thrilled to announce the expansion of our esteemed Korean dance festival to Glasgow, Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Manchester. This year, we’re collaborating with the renowned Tramway, Dance City, Pavilion Dance South West, and The Lowry.”

The Korea Arts Management Service also commented on the festival’s role in introducing Korean artists to UK audiences, showcasing the rich tapestry of contemporary Korean dance on an international stage.

Since its inception in 2018, the Festival of Korean Dance has grown in popularity, coinciding with the global success of the Korean pop culture phenomenon, Hallyu. Over the years, it has featured a diverse range of dance companies and artists, contributing to the vibrant cultural exchange between Korea and the UK.

The editorial unit

A Festival of Korean Dance is at The Place from 16^th May until 4^th June 2024. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.