Modern take on Joseon royal ritual staged in Seoul

Dancers perform during a press call of the South Korean ceremonial dance of the royal ancestral ritual at Jongmyo Shrine “One Dance” at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug 21 2025 Courtesy of Sejong Center — Dancers perform during a media showcase of the South Korean royal ancestral ritual, "One Dance" at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug. 21, 2025. Courtesy of Sejong Center

SEOUL, August 22 (AJP) - When the lights go down, more than 40 dancers move in unison across a massive stage. As they perform, audiences are immersed in "One Dance" ("Ilmu" in Korean), the ceremonial dance of the royal ancestral ritual at Jongmyo Shrine, accompanied by music dating back to the Joseon Dynasty.

With minimal stage props, the stage is filled only by the flowing sleeves of dancers dressed in white, orange, green, and blue hanbok, traditional South Korean attire. Their movements scatter outward and then return to order, creating a rhythm of harmony.

A media showcase event by the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theater opened Thursday at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, where it will run for four days through Sunday. The show offers a modern reinterpretation of "Ilmu," part of Jongmyo Jeryeak, which has been designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by both the South Korean government and UNESCO.

Now in its fourth year, this year's production features upgraded lighting and visual design, along with new dancers. The show has garnered international acclaim, with sold-out performances in New York in 2023 following its 2022 premiere, and has since been staged annually in Seoul.

The crew of One Dance pose for a photo during a press call at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug 21 2025 From left choreographer Kim Sung-hoon and Jung Hye-jin CEO of the center Ahn Ho-sang director Jung Ku-ho dancers Kim Kyung-ae and Kim Choi Tae-hun Courtesy of Sejong Center — The crew of "One Dance" pose during a media showcase at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug. 21, 2025. From left, choreographers Kim Sung-hoon and Jung Hye-jin, CEO of the center Ahn Ho-sang, director Jung Ku-ho, dancers Kim Kyung-ae, and Kim Choi Tae-hun. Courtesy of Sejong Center

Director Jung Ku-ho explained the stage structure, saying, "In the traditional Jongmyo Jeryeak, 64 dancers form lines in the square courtyard of the shrine. We tried to reconstruct that framework in a modern way on stage, simple but powerful." He added that he used "two open rectangular frames" to create "shifting architectural forms that float and come together, making a square, seen from different angles above and below."

Choreographer Jung Hye-jin said, "'Ilmu' is not only the dance of the Jongmyo ritual but also a dance of alignment. The show was inspired by the idea of dancers moving in line and incorporates elements of South Korean folk dance expressed in a contemporary style across four acts. The final act, 'Shin Ilmu' ('New Ilmu'), is a newly created choreography."

She continued, "If the traditional 'Ilmu' is a static dance with energy directed inward, the contemporary version seeks to release that energy outward with stronger expression. Tradition and modernity merge to reveal a new movement in the finale."

Dancers perform in the finale of the South Korean royal ancestral ritual, "One Dance" during a media showcase at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Aug. 21, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu

Choreographer Kim Sung-hoon elaborated on the costumes, saying, "The dancers wear blue tops, red pants, and a white centerpiece to symbolize the Taegukgi (the South Korean national flag). Some formations even visualize the flag's design in motion."

"Every breath has to be synchronized. Every dancer devoted countless hours to perfecting even the smallest gestures, demanding both intense focus and mental strength," said Choi Tae-hun, principal dancer of the theater. Following its Seoul run, the show will be staged in Gangneung, Gangwon Province next Friday and in Daegu Metropolitan City from Sept. 4 to 5.

Kim Hee-su khs@ajupress.com