MODAFE, The New Wave #1

Showtimes

Wednesday (19:00)

Cast

Park Ju-hwan, Kwak Min-woo, Kim Eun-ji

Creative Team

Park Ju-hwan, Kwak Min-woo, Kim Eun-ji

Synopsis

[Performance Introduction] MODAFE (International Contemporary Dance Festival), which has led the trends of contemporary dance in Korea, has opened new horizons for contemporary dance art for over 40 years. Moving beyond a mere arts festival, MODAFE has established itself as an authoritative dance festival that shares artworks from around the world and provides creative opportunities to artists, earning deep trust from artists both at home and abroad. To date, over 200 international groups and 440 domestic groups have participated through MODAFE, and more than 1,300 works have been staged. The international network and artistic solidarity built through the festival have grown MODAFE into a global platform that attracts the attention of choreographers and dance companies worldwide. Evolving annually with newer and more inclusive formats, MODAFE aims to share artistic experiences that transcend the boundaries of time and dreams, as well as a venue for international exchange, under the theme "MODAFE Beyond Time, Beyond Dreams" for its 45th edition in 2026. MODAFE aims to serve as a platform where artists from diverse nations share their creative worlds and expand the scope of artistic communication across boundaries, fostering continuous growth as a global festival and promoting the diverse artistic values and meanings of contemporary dance. **Work Introduction** ※ The order below is unrelated to the performance order. **Park Ju-hwan <Untitled>** **About the Choreographer** After graduating from the Department of Creative Arts at the Korea National University of Arts, Park Ju-hwan gained creative experience by participating as a dancer in the works of various choreographers. During this process, he broadened his perspective on choreography by encountering different artistic viewpoints and working methods. These experiences served as a catalyst for him to concretize his interest and direction in choreography. Based on this foundation, he intends to continue creating works that extend thoughts originating from the individual's inner self into the structures and relationships of contemporary society, presenting questions through movement. **Work Description** The work <Untitled> originated from the idea that the moment of looking at and imagining ideals within reality can be the beginning of change. ** The moment we recognize our current state, we naturally envision a direction different from the present. At that moment, it begins to expand into another possibility. <Untitled> follows the flow of gazes expanding in a space where change has not yet been revealed, hoping that another scene will be drawn within each person's imagination amidst this. Choreography: Park Ju-hwan Performers: Jung Ji-eun, Lee Jung-bin, Kim Hyun-ho, Son Chae-yeon Composition: Kim Ji-san Duration: 20 min Kwak Min-woo <Accompaniment> About the Choreographer "Choreographer Kwak Min-woo captures the weight of life contained in trivial objects through movement." He views the taken-for-granted presences of daily life with a new perspective, exploring the essence beneath them. By translating the dictionary definitions and physical attributes of objects that are always by our side but often go unnoticed into body language, he meticulously portrays the multi-layered human psychology and the tension of relationships contained within them onto the stage. Focusing particularly on the subtle tremors and restrained movements that occur at the point where tools and the body meet, the artist goes beyond merely reproducing phenomena to pose fundamental questions about life through the intrinsic value inherent in objects. In this way, he continues his work of communicating with the audience through movements drawn from the trivial. Artwork Description Donghaeng [同行]: Walking a path together; or a person who walks that path together. The work <Donghaeng> began with the most essential definition of a cane: "a stick leaned on to gain assistance while walking." It aims to capture on stage how this small tool, which aids in walking, becomes the most reliable helper in supporting the weight of life. Through the delicate balance created by the meeting of a cold tool and a warm body, the piece poses a question to the audience regarding "true companionship." Choreography: Kwak Min-woo Performers: Kwak Min-woo, Kim Hye-hyun Duration: 20 min Kim Eun-ji <Eoppu> About the Choreographer Kim Eun-ji focuses on breath, the structure of the body, and the way movements are connected. Holding a Ph.D. in Dance from Sejong University, she explores the connectivity of the body and the potential for expanding movement based on developmental models and body awareness. She unravels the sensations and flow of movement grounded in a structural understanding of the body. Work Description To float on water, one needs to release tension, not more force. This work captures the process of a body that once relied on physical strength to endure rising as if swimming, embracing sensations and flow. Times of self-love and unspoken feelings lingered within the body for a long time. The body, which never sank despite swaying, now rises as if swimming, entrusting itself to the flow rather than fighting against the waves. Choreography & Performance: Kim Eun-ji Costumes: Bae Gyeong-sul Composition: Jeon Chae-yeon About the Organization The Korea Contemporary Dance Association (KCA) conducts projects to promote the creative activities of artists and to enhance the quality and rights of Korean contemporary dance through international cultural exchange. The association communicates with artists from various fields as well as the general public, aiming to enable diverse generations to enjoy contemporary dance. Major projects include the International Contemporary Dance Festival ‘MODAFE’, the choreographer-dance matching project ‘Saengsaeng Dance Festival’, the youth artist nurturing project ‘Newcomer Debut Show’, the ‘Korea Contemporary Dance Competition’ which discovers promising dancers, and the ‘Night of Contemporary Dancers’ which honors the contributions of artists who have contributed to the development of the Korean contemporary dance scene. The Association will strive to ensure the continued development of its historically significant projects by constantly seeking and exploring diverse and new operational methods, and intends to continue contributing to the sustained artistic activities of artists and the expansion of the general public's right to enjoy culture.

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