Presented By: Nam Center for Korean Studies
NCKS Colloquium Series | Dying Tree: Embodying Jungyong in Contemporary Korean Choreography
Jae-duk Kim: Choreographer, Composer, and Artistic Director
Synopsis:
Dying Tree is an original movement practice developed by choreographer Kim Jaeduk through improvisation and close observation of the body. Inspired by his reflections on Jungyong (中庸), a philosophical concept rooted in Confucian thought, this practice explores how movement can be sustained and transformed aesthetically through the interplay of force and balance, speed and expression.
This colloquium takes as its starting point an image that emerged from observing Kim Jaeduk's improvisational movement: a body that appears almost motionless, like a dying tree in winter, while an intense flow of energy continues within. This contrast between outward stillness and inner vitality connects to a longstanding question in Kim Jaeduk's choreographic practice: how can movement be sustained through continuous change? The image became a point of departure for developing the physical principles of Dying Tree and gradually shaping them into a distinct movement style.
The presentation explores how the concept of Jungyong is embodied through several key movement principles. These include Chumi (醜美), which explores asymmetrical bodily forms and the aesthetic potential of unconventional shapes; Jwause (左右勢), which organizes lateral shifts and changes in the body's center; and Changyeong (贊輕), which cultivates a deliberately light quality of movement.
The presentation also examines the relationship between Hyeongsik(形式), the structural organization of movement that can be physically learned and repeated, and Hyeongyong (形容), which expands its expressive possibilities. Through this relationship, it considers how established movement structures can become the basis for new choreographic expressions.
Combining a spoken presentation with live movement demonstrations, the colloquium shows how philosophical ideas can inform physical exploration, movement training, and the creative process of contemporary choreography.
Rather than presenting Dying Tree as a direct representation of a particular philosophical tradition, this colloquium approaches it as an ongoing artistic practice through which ideas are interpreted, tested, and explored through the body. From Kim Jaeduk's choreographic perspective, it seeks to illuminate how embodied knowledge, philosophical inquiry, and creative experimentation intersect in the making of contemporary dance.
Biography:
Kim Jae-duk is an internationally acclaimed South Korean choreographer and composer, currently serving as the Artistic Director of Modern Table Contemporary Dance Company in Korea and Resident Choreographer of T.H.E Dance Company in Singapore.
Recognized for his distinctive choreographic language, Kim creates dynamic works that bring together contemporary dance, music, rhythm, and physical expression. His artistic practice explores the relationship between movement and sound, drawing inspiration from diverse cultural influences and traditional rhythmic structures to develop a unique and powerful performance vocabulary.
Kim has established an extensive international presence through commissions and collaborations with leading dance companies across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America. His choreographic works have been presented by institutions including the Argentine National Contemporary Dance Company, Lucerne Municipal Dance Company TanzLuzern in Switzerland, Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), New Zealand Dance Company, Curitiba Municipal Ballet in Brazil, and the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre.
His notable works include Tension Espacial, commissioned by the Argentine National Contemporary Dance Company in 2015 and subsequently revived for a total of 48 performances in 2026; Jangdan, created for Hong Kong CCDC; Brown, which received three awards at the 2023 Hong Kong Dance Awards; JE-UI, commissioned by TanzLuzern; and MEDITA, which received the 2025 Grand Prize in Choreography from the Korean Association of Dance Critics. His work Sokdowas also selected for the official showcase of Tanzmesse in Germany in 2020.
In recognition of his outstanding artistic achievements, Kim received the 2024 New York Bessie Award for Outstanding Choreography. His other accolades include the Korea Modern Dance Association's Choreographer of the Year Award, three awards at the 24th Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2023 for Brown, the Music & Sound Design Award at the 21st Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2019 for Jangdan, and a Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea in 2018.
Beyond his choreographic work, Kim is actively involved in international artistic exchange and education. He has led workshops and participated in residency and educational programmes at major international platforms, including ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival and the Centre National de la Danse (CND) in Paris. In 2008, he was invited to lecture at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in the United Kingdom.
Through his ongoing work in Korea and Singapore, as well as his collaborations with international dance companies and cultural institutions, Kim Jae-duk continues to expand the possibilities of contemporary dance, establishing a distinctive artistic voice on the global stage.
If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at [email protected]. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.
Dying Tree is an original movement practice developed by choreographer Kim Jaeduk through improvisation and close observation of the body. Inspired by his reflections on Jungyong (中庸), a philosophical concept rooted in Confucian thought, this practice explores how movement can be sustained and transformed aesthetically through the interplay of force and balance, speed and expression.
This colloquium takes as its starting point an image that emerged from observing Kim Jaeduk's improvisational movement: a body that appears almost motionless, like a dying tree in winter, while an intense flow of energy continues within. This contrast between outward stillness and inner vitality connects to a longstanding question in Kim Jaeduk's choreographic practice: how can movement be sustained through continuous change? The image became a point of departure for developing the physical principles of Dying Tree and gradually shaping them into a distinct movement style.
The presentation explores how the concept of Jungyong is embodied through several key movement principles. These include Chumi (醜美), which explores asymmetrical bodily forms and the aesthetic potential of unconventional shapes; Jwause (左右勢), which organizes lateral shifts and changes in the body's center; and Changyeong (贊輕), which cultivates a deliberately light quality of movement.
The presentation also examines the relationship between Hyeongsik(形式), the structural organization of movement that can be physically learned and repeated, and Hyeongyong (形容), which expands its expressive possibilities. Through this relationship, it considers how established movement structures can become the basis for new choreographic expressions.
Combining a spoken presentation with live movement demonstrations, the colloquium shows how philosophical ideas can inform physical exploration, movement training, and the creative process of contemporary choreography.
Rather than presenting Dying Tree as a direct representation of a particular philosophical tradition, this colloquium approaches it as an ongoing artistic practice through which ideas are interpreted, tested, and explored through the body. From Kim Jaeduk's choreographic perspective, it seeks to illuminate how embodied knowledge, philosophical inquiry, and creative experimentation intersect in the making of contemporary dance.
Biography:
Kim Jae-duk is an internationally acclaimed South Korean choreographer and composer, currently serving as the Artistic Director of Modern Table Contemporary Dance Company in Korea and Resident Choreographer of T.H.E Dance Company in Singapore.
Recognized for his distinctive choreographic language, Kim creates dynamic works that bring together contemporary dance, music, rhythm, and physical expression. His artistic practice explores the relationship between movement and sound, drawing inspiration from diverse cultural influences and traditional rhythmic structures to develop a unique and powerful performance vocabulary.
Kim has established an extensive international presence through commissions and collaborations with leading dance companies across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and South America. His choreographic works have been presented by institutions including the Argentine National Contemporary Dance Company, Lucerne Municipal Dance Company TanzLuzern in Switzerland, Hong Kong City Contemporary Dance Company (CCDC), New Zealand Dance Company, Curitiba Municipal Ballet in Brazil, and the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre.
His notable works include Tension Espacial, commissioned by the Argentine National Contemporary Dance Company in 2015 and subsequently revived for a total of 48 performances in 2026; Jangdan, created for Hong Kong CCDC; Brown, which received three awards at the 2023 Hong Kong Dance Awards; JE-UI, commissioned by TanzLuzern; and MEDITA, which received the 2025 Grand Prize in Choreography from the Korean Association of Dance Critics. His work Sokdowas also selected for the official showcase of Tanzmesse in Germany in 2020.
In recognition of his outstanding artistic achievements, Kim received the 2024 New York Bessie Award for Outstanding Choreography. His other accolades include the Korea Modern Dance Association's Choreographer of the Year Award, three awards at the 24th Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2023 for Brown, the Music & Sound Design Award at the 21st Hong Kong Dance Awards in 2019 for Jangdan, and a Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Korea in 2018.
Beyond his choreographic work, Kim is actively involved in international artistic exchange and education. He has led workshops and participated in residency and educational programmes at major international platforms, including ImPulsTanz – Vienna International Dance Festival and the Centre National de la Danse (CND) in Paris. In 2008, he was invited to lecture at the Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance in the United Kingdom.
Through his ongoing work in Korea and Singapore, as well as his collaborations with international dance companies and cultural institutions, Kim Jae-duk continues to expand the possibilities of contemporary dance, establishing a distinctive artistic voice on the global stage.
If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at [email protected]. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.
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