The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) is pleased to partner with the Kennedy Center to present three performances by acclaimed Korean company Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) on Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov 2 at 8:00 p.m. as a part of 2024–2025 Kennedy Center Dance Season.

The series will highlight the cutting edge of contemporary Korean dance with one of its most recognizable and exceptional talents, LDP, performing two of their signature high-energy works: Ash and MOB. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the vivacious, world-class quality of contemporary Korean performing arts in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 2001, LDP is a contemporary dance project whose goal is to bring Korean contemporary dance to the global stage. Since its founding, LDP has played a role in enhancing the value of the arts while shaping a repertoire that emphasizes a rich artistic and communicative philosophy, including experimental challenges based on individuality and uniqueness. LDP's dancers have earned the public’s trust through their tireless efforts and sincerity, as well as their distinctive gifts and talents.

Tickets are available through the Kennedy Center's Box Office. For more information, please see the Kennedy Center announcement. This performance series is presented by the Kennedy Center and sponsored by the Korean Cultural Center in Washington, D.C.

Laboratory Dance Project

Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and Nov. 2 (8:00 PM daily)

Eisenhower Theater, The Kennedy Center (Washington, DC)

TICKETS via the Kennedy Center box office HERE 

About the Works

MOB

Synopsis

The German proverb “Nur tote Fische schwimmen mit dem Strom” translates to "only dead fish swim with the stream." This proverb reflects the idea that individuals who lose their personal perception and become part of a crowd may sometimes rise above simpler ideas with dignity, but at other times may regress to a more barbaric state. With anonymity, people tend to hide, exaggerate, and simplify their desires while shirking responsibility. The transformation of individuals into a mob, and the manipulation of individuals within a mob, is both intriguing and alarming, yet common. This dynamic of intolerance and brutality against others contrasts with a subtle sense of unity and intimacy.

MOB closely examines these two facets of humanity, scrutinizing the interplay between the individual and the collective in society. The work explores the human inner self and the individual within society, focusing on the duality of human nature through crowd psychology. While individual dancers showcase their unique styles, they either blend into or are overwhelmed by the collective. The piece is characterized by LDP’s signature energetic masculinity and a palpable sense of tension. MOB premiered at the Arko Arts Theater in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on March 24, 2022.

Credits

Choreographer: Kim Dongkyu

Composer: Jang Jiho

Lighting Designer: Kim Jung Wha

Stage Manager: Kim Jisu

Costume Designer: Choi Insook

Ash

Synopsis

I am not interested in reminiscing about drowsy nostalgia. Instead, I focus on the now faded appearance and question my fear of moving backward, despite my denial of reality. I reflect on my own disappearances and deficiencies, remembering the good old days, but I attempt to revisit the past without alteration. Just as the future remains invisible, the past may have also endured suffering. Is there a pile of ashes hidden deep in my heart, like how I now view the ashes?

Since COVID-19, societal polarization has accelerated, prompting a reevaluation of how art reflects humanity. During a time when everything was paused and restricted, the gaps left by scarcity have grown ever larger. What has vanished without a trace? Are the things I claim have disappeared truly real? This work explores the concept of reversing time to address a period when even deprivation meant indifference. In this piece the choreographer questions individual deficiencies and embarks on a journey to return to an original, intact state by moving backward through time. Ash premiered at the Arko Arts Theater in Seoul, Republic of Korea, on March 24, 2022.

Credits

Choreographer: Kim Dongkyu

Composer: Jiho Jang

Lighting Designer: Kim Jung Wha

Stage Manager: Kim Jisu

Costume Designer: Choi Insook

About LDP

Founded in 2001 by Korea National University of Arts alumnus Shin Chang Ho, Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) is a distinguished contemporary dance company renowned for its innovative approach to dance and its commitment to advancing Korean contemporary dance internationally. LDP is celebrated for its experimental artistry and distinctive style, focusing on a profound artistic and communicative philosophy.

The company's work is characterized by its dynamic physicality, diverse musical interpretations, cutting-edge stage designs, and text-based Lecture Performances. LDP is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of contemporary dance and fostering cross-disciplinary artistic exchange, elevating the standards of performing arts and enhancing public engagement.

LDP enjoys widespread acclaim in South Korea, consistently achieving sold-out performances and garnering invitations to prestigious international dance festivals. The company's global presence was established with its early collaborations, including notable performances at I-camp and Muffathalle Theater in Munich with Micha Purucker of Tanztendenz. LDP’s international footprint expanded through festivals in Mannheim, Hannover, France, and Slovenia, as well as appearances at the Venice Dance Biennale (2006 and 2007), the Frankfurt Book Fair, and Switzerland's Winterthur Arts Festival. The company has also participated in the New York APAP Conference, Japan Society Showcase, Suzanne Dellal Festival in Israel, and various European tours. In 2011, LDP was featured at the White Bird Festival in Portland and the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in the United States and was further boosted by an invitation to New York City Center’s Fall For Dance Festival in 2012.

Dancers

Kim Minseo, Kim Seokhyun, Kim Yeona, Kim Youngchae, Park Jihee, Bae Hyeonwoo, Shin Hoyoung, Yoon Nara, Yun Seungmin, Lee Jeongeun, Lee Hong, Jang Jiho, Jang Hoiwon, Jeong Geon, Choi Ye Won, Choi Hojeong, Han Yoon Joo

Staff

CEO & Choreographer: Yoon Nara

Producer: Gook Jisoo

Stage Manager: Kim Jisu

Lighting Designer: Kim JungWha

Photographer: BAKI

About the CEO

Yoon Nara, CEO

Yoon Nara is a choreographer and the chief representative for LDP. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Contemporary Dance from Korea National University of Arts in 2011 and completed his Master’s degree in the same field in 2018. He has served as a lecturer at Kaywon High School of the Arts and as a mentor at the Korea National University of Arts Gifted Education Center. Yoon has received numerous dance accolades, including 3^rd place at the Korea International Dance Competition in 2012, 2^nd place at the Berlin International Dance Competition in 2013, 2^nd place at the Hellas International Dance Competition in Greece in 2014, 1^st place in the Contemporary Male Category at the Seoul International Dance Competition in 2015, the Best Choreographer Award at the Korean Dance Association’s 2018 Young Choreographer’s Exhibition, and the Grand Prize at the Duet Festival in 2018.

His notable choreographic works include We Need a Dialogue (2011), What's Your Name? (2017), Essential Emotion (2018), I Will Assist You (2018), and Not Sun View (2018). 

About the Choreographer

Kim Dongkyu, Choreographer

Kim Dongkyu demonstrates his artistic sense of balance by presenting movements based on rich skills in flexible and natural patterns. For the public, he is a choreographer who presents modern dance styles that are truly comfortable, easy, fun and free. His greatest strength is showing the possibility of expanding the performance space and exceeding its fixed limits.

LDP Achievements

2024

May 5-7: 24th Laboratory Dance Project, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea <View> <Intricate Threads of Humanity>

2023

April 7-9: 23rd Laboratory Dance Project, Daehakro Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea <Children> 

September 13-14: Seoul International Dance Festival SIDANCE, Seoul, Korea <Children> 

September 28 – October 1: Seoul Street Arts Festival, Seoul City Hall, Seoul, Korea <Rebirth> 

October 13: Busan Dance Market, Geumjeong Arts Center, Busan, Korea <Stagnant Water> 

October 22: K-Wave Dance Festival, Han River, Seoul, Korea <Stagnant Water> 

December 19: Seoul International Choreography Festival, SCF, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

2022  

March 24-27: 22nd Laboratory Dance Project, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

July 23: Gunsan Arts Center <No Comment> <MOMBURIM> 

July 29: Jeju Arts Center <Ash> 

August 12: LG Arts Center, Seoul, Korea <Look Look> 

September 3: Sungnam Arts Center <Ash> 

September 17: International Modern Dance Festival MODAFE, Kyoungki Arts Center <No Comment> 

September 18: Haebichi Art Festival Showcase, Jeju, Korea <Look Look> 

October 2: Hansung Culture Festival, Olympic Park, Seoul, Korea <Ash> 

October 13-14: Cervantino Festival, Teatro Principal, Mexico <Ash> 

2021

April 29-May 2: 21st Laboratory Dance Project, Daehakro Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

June 4: International Dance Festival <MOMBURIM> 

August 12: Chuncheon Performing Arts Festival, Chuncheon, Korea <MOB> 

August 28-29: Goyang Culture Foundation, Saerasae ON, Goyang, Korea <No Comment>, <MOMBURIM> 

September 1: Dancers Career Development Center invited performance, Seongnam Arts Center <MOB> 

September 9: Daegu International Dance Festival, Daegu, Korea <Lavender Vender> 

October 17: 2021 Taewhagang Performing Arts Festival, Korea <MOB> 

October 28: Gunsan International Dance Festival, Gunsan, Korea <Lavender Vender> 

November 19: The 42nd Seoul Dance Festival, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea <Ash> 

November 24: 2021 Haebichi Art Festival Showcase, Jeju, Korea <MOMBURIM> 

2020

May 2-10: 20th Laboratory Dance Project, Seoul, Korea 

June: Dancers Career Development Center invited performance, Jeju, Korea <MOB> 

July 17-18: Goyang Culture Foundation, Goyang AreumNuri Theater, Korea <No Comment>, <MOMBURIM> 

October: LDP x Eric Languet (FR) Coproduction <MAT(T)ER> 

2019

February 9: PyeongChang Winter Olympics Korea, 1st Anniversary, PyeongChang Arena, Korea <MOB> 

April 5-7: 19th Laboratory Dance Project, Daehakro Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

May 17: The Inauguration, The Embassy of Switzerland in Korea, Seoul, Korea <360° 92W Dance Loop> 

May 24-25: ILT Festival, Aarhus, Denmark <No Comment>, <MOB> 

May 29: Dancers Career Development Center invited performance, Jeju, Korea <No Comment> 

September 26-29: LDP X LG Arts Center, LG Arts Center, Seoul, Korea <Triple Bill> 

October 17: ECM 50th Anniversary exhibition, Hyundai Card Storage <RE:ECM> 

October 28-December 1: LAVA Company Invited Choreography, Tenerife, Spain <YALACHA> 

November 22-23: ECM 50th Anniversary exhibition, Hyundai Card Storage <RE:ECM> 

2018

February 25: PyeongChang Winter Olympics Korea, Closing Ceremony 

March 23-25: 18th Laboratory Dance Project, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

April 13: Dancers Career Development Center invited performance, Seoul, Korea <MOB> 

May 5-6: Ansan International Street Arts Festival (ASAF), Korea <Look Look> 

May 17: The 10th Dancing City Incheon, Incheon, Korea <MOB> 

June 1: The 14th Busan International Dance Festival, Busan, Korea <MOB> 

June 2: Busan International Street Arts Festival, Busan, Korea <MOB> 

June 20: Haebichi Art Festival Showcase, Jeju, Korea <Look Look> 

July 5: Hanam Asia Comic Dance Festival, Hanam, Korea <Look Look> 

July 25: Chuncheon Culture & Art Center - La Siesta, Korea <MOB>, <No Comment> 

August 13: The 63rd Anniversary Kukbang UNIV., Korea <MOB> 

August 31: Tanzmesse, Germany <No Comment> 

September 22-24: La Merce, Barcelona, Spain <Look Look> 

September 27 - October 2: MilanOltre Festival, Italy <No Comment>, <BOW>, <Look Look>, <Black Comedy> 

October 24: Ansan Arts Center <THIS IS NOT MY LIFE> 

October 28: All That Dance Festival, Seoul, Korea <MOB> 

November 16 - December 1: The Istanbul State Opera & Ballet - Modern Dance Theatre Istanbul Invited Choreography <Heyecan> 

November 29: Early Winter Festival, Incheon Culture and Arts Center, Korea <No Comment>, <BOW>, <MOB> 

December 11: Seoul International Choreography Festival, GALA, Arko Arts Theater, Korea <MOB> 

2017

March 31 - April 2: 17th Laboratory Dance Project, Arko Arts Theater, Seoul, Korea 

June 13: 10th Haebichi Art Festival Showcase, Jeju, Korea <MOB> 

October 6-7: Seoul Street Arts Festival (SSAF), Seoul, Korea <Look Look> 

October 10-11: Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF), Seoul, Korea <Look Look> 

October 14: Daegu Asia Dance Festival (DACDF), Daegu, Korea <Look Look>