The National Dance Company of Korea will present a revival of "Book of the Dead" from September 17 to 20 at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea in central Seoul. The 2024 production draws its inspiration from the Tibetan Buddhist scripture "Bardo Thodol," which is commonly known as "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" and serves as a spiritual guide for navigating the afterlife.
Choreographed by Kim Jong-deok, the state dance company's artistic director, "Book of the Dead" represents Kim's first major work since he took on the leadership role in April 2023. Kim credits part of his creative vision to "Bardo," a work by Taiwanese artist Chia-Wei Hsu that combined readings from the ancient scripture with filmed projections of spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic years.
"During the pandemic, we were reminded that life and death are not separate," Kim explained in an interview with The Korea Herald. "Rather than associating death only with sorrow, I wanted to encourage audiences to think about living today well." This philosophical approach shapes the entire production, as Kim translates the complex metaphysical journey described in the Tibetan text into contemporary dance language.
The performance unfolds across three distinct acts, each representing different stages of the soul's journey. Act I follows the soul as it crosses into the afterworld, capturing the transition from physical existence to spiritual realm. Act II revisits memories of life, skillfully mingling emotions of joy and grief, regret and resignation as the soul reflects on its earthly experience. Act III concludes with a cycle of repeated gestures that symbolize the continuum between life and death, emphasizing the Buddhist concept of eternal cycles.
For this revival production, significant changes have been made to both the staging and casting. The performance has been tightened and shortened from its original 75-minute runtime to 65 minutes, creating a more focused and intense experience for audiences. While the original premiere featured two male dancers in the role of the deceased, this new edition expands the casting to rotate five principal dancers regardless of gender, bringing fresh perspectives to the central character.
To give audiences insight into the creative process, an open rehearsal will be held on Thursday, featuring commentary from director Kim Jong-deok. This special preview will allow attendees to understand the artistic vision and choreographic choices behind the production before the official performances begin on September 17.
