National Dance Company: ‘Sinawi’ Reinterpreted by Two Choreographers 50 Years Apart

'Double Bill: Sinawi' to Take the Stage at the National Theater in October
Choreographers Jeong-hye Bae (b. 1944) and Jin-ho Bae (b. 1994) Present New Works

A double bill performance will bring together two choreographers from different generations, fifty years apart, as they each present their own interpretation of traditional Korean music called Sinawi.

The National Dance Company, a resident company of the National Theater of Korea, will stage its new work, "Double Bill: Sinawi," at the Haeoreum Theater from October 8 to 11. This marks the first performance of the National Dance Company's 2026-2027 National Theater Repertory Season. Choreographers Bae Jeong-hye (born 1944) and Bae Jin-ho (born 1994) will each present their new works: "Salpuri Saeng (Life)" and "Ahra (AHRA)," respectively.

"Salpuri Saeng" marks Bae Jeong-hye’s return to collaboration with the National Dance Company after nine years. She has previously showcased works such as "Soul, Sunflower" and "Dance Chunhyang" with the company. For Bae Jin-ho, this is his first time working with the National Dance Company.

The generational difference between the choreographers is also reflected in the company of dancers. For the first time since its founding, the National Dance Company will divide its dancers into two groups based on generation for this production. Dancers born in 1985 or earlier, who have embodied Korean dance for years, will perform in "Salpuri Saeng," while younger, more dynamic dancers with fresh physical sensibilities will take the stage in "Ahra."

National Dance Company’s demonstration scene of "Salpuri Saeng (Life)." National Theater

National Dance Company 'Ahra' demonstration scene. National Theater

"Salpuri Saeng" sets the spirit of Salpuri—a ritual dance meant to dispel misfortune and invoke new life and peace—to Sinawi music. The piece weaves together the distinct characteristics of traditional dance, including Imaebang-ryu Salpuri, Han Yeong-suk-ryu Salpuri, Kim Suk-ja-ryu Dosalpuri, and Kim Su-ak-ryu Gyobanggutgeori, all passed down through different lineages. In doing so, it expands the meanings of life's joys and sorrows and of life itself, transforming them into today’s Salpuri ritual.

Choreographer Bae Jeong-hye explained, "Rather than conveying a particular message, I wanted to reinterpret traditional forms like Salpuri and Gyobanggutgeori as new traditions, staging them as scenes of exuberant celebration beneath a waterfall. I hope audiences will enjoy the performance and leave feeling inspired to dance along."

"Ahra" conveys the longing, sorrow, joy, and perseverance infused in Arirang, as well as Sinawi’s characteristic improvisation, through the bodies of young dancers. The choreography applies the principle of Sinawi—different instruments responding to one another even as they produce their own sounds—to dance as well. Rather than grand gestures or fixed movements, the work focuses on subtle tremors and vibrations that surface from within the dancers’ bodies.

Choreographer Bae Jin-ho noted, "I aimed to visualize the emotions of Han and Ae—deep sorrow and grief, so prominent in the lyrics of Arirang—solely through the dancers’ movements."

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