Korean dance repertoire 'Scent of Ink' heads to North America

The National Dance Company of Korea performs "Scent of Ink" at the National Arts Centre-Southam Hall in Ottawa, Canada, Oct. 10. Courtesy of National Theater of Korea

The National Dance Company of Korea has set out on a North American tour, bringing its signature performance "Scent of Ink" to the capital cities of Canada and the U.S.

This cultural journey serves as part of a larger initiative designed to foster mutual respect and understanding between Korea and North America. The year 2023 is significant to Korea as it commemorates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Canada as well as the 70th anniversary of its alliance with the United States.

The first show of the tour took place on Oct. 10 at the National Arts Centre-Southam Hall in Ottawa. The show garnered a remarkable response, filling all 2,000 seats and receiving accolades from both the audience and performing arts officials.

The company's artistic director Kim Joung-dug explained that "Scent of Ink" is a reflection of Korea's traditional culture in which audiences can "almost smell the fragrance of the nobility,” in an interview with Ottawa Life Magazine.

Dancer Park Ji-eun gave a glimpse into the performance on Canadian television by appearing on "CTV Morning Live," dressed in one of the show's elegant costumes.

The reactions to the Canadian performance were overwhelmingly positive. Yvonne Coutts, artistic director of the Ottawa Dance Directive, described the choreography as "elegant and mesmerizing," while Canadian cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne praised the "poise and grace" of the company as the dance piece "transcends time."

The next performance is scheduled for Oct. 18 at the Eisenhower Theater of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Ahead of the performance, the Korean Cultural Center in the U.S. capital organized a special Korean dance master class for students from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., with the dance company on Oct. 13.

According to an official at the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C., the popularity of K-pop has seemingly opened doors for traditional Korean culture, including dance, expressing her surprise at the high level of interest shown in the workshop, signifying a broader appeal of Korean culture in North America.

Directed by Jung Ku-ho and choreographed by Yun Sung-joo, "Scent of Ink" has made waves for its eloquent portrayal of Korean tradition. Themed around "sagunja," or the Four Gracious Plants ― orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum and plum blossom ― as well as the seasons they each stand for, the dance piece leaves a strong resonance resembling the brushstrokes of black ink on white paper.

The performance is structured into six chapters, beginning and ending with dances that contrast black and white, while vibrant colors represent the four seasons and their corresponding plants. The choreography, emphasizing the subtlety and restraint inherent in Korean dance, encapsulates the essence of the Korean spirit.

After the tour, "Scent of Ink" will be staged at the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Theater from Dec. 14-17, marking its first return to Korea in four years.