Colors, symbols and tradition: What to watch for in ‘One Dance’

A scene from the second act of "One Dance" by Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre / Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

As part of "Jongmyo Jerye," the the royal ancestral ritual of the 1392-1910 Joseon Dynasty, “Ilmu” was performed at Jongmyo, the royal Confucian shrine for ancestors, with kings and aristocrats in attendance.

One striking feature of the dance, which is now recognized on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, was its formation. Dancers assemble in rows, then shift into lines and circles before returning to their original positions. Meticulousness, restraint and union were its other defining characteristics.

In 2022, the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre premiered “One Dance,” a modern reinterpretation of "Ilmu," helmed by designer and director Jung Ku-ho. The production showcased not only a reenactment of the ancient line dance but also a contemporary reimagining of it.

Following a sold-out performance at Lincoln Center in New York City in 2023, the work became a sensation in the Korean dance scene. "One Dance" returns to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul from Thursday through Sunday, with all tickets sold out for its four-day run well in advance.

A scene from the first act of "One Dance" by Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre / Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

Encouraged by the positive response, the production is launching a national tour this year. Following the Seoul run, "One Dance" will be staged in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, next week and in the southeastern city of Daegu shortly after.

“We hope audiences will continue to enjoy the show,” Jung said during a press conference, Thursday.

Here are five key points to watch for in "One Dance":

1. Structure of performance

"One Dance" consists of four acts. Because it is essentially “a dance about dance,” audiences don’t need to follow a linear storyline.

In the first two acts, the ancient dance — marked by slow, restrained movement — is paired with a contemporary interpretation. The final two acts are a showcase of contemporary choreography, which is more powerful yet still precise.

2. More than just 'Ilmu'

The second act features "Chunaengmu," a dance once performed at royal banquets by a solo female dancer on a mat. In "One Dance," however, 24 performers each dance on individual mats, which later rise into the air during the contemporary rendition.

3. Stage symbolism

In the first act, dancers move near two large bars shaped like the Korean letter “ㄷ.” Later, the bars are lifted by wires to form a rectangle overhead.

“It symbolizes Korea’s traditional well,” director Jung said.

A scene from the third act of "One Dance" by Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre / Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

4. Costumes with impact

Costumes play a symbolic role throughout the show. In the second act, female dancers wear oversized jokduri, a coronet traditionally worn by brides. In the final act, dancers are seen with long sticks on their heads.

“During the Joseon Dynasty, the distance between the stage and audience was small. But at the Sejong Center, the space is much larger, so I wanted something symbolic and impressive that audiences would remember,” Jung explained.

The jokduri used in the show are about five times larger than the typical size. “I intentionally made them bigger so they could be seen clearly from afar.”

A scene from the fourth act of "One Dance" / Courtesy of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts

5. Colors rooted in tradition

Each act is marked by a dominant costume color — yellowish orange in the first act, green in the second, white in the third and wine red in the final act.

Jung noted the palette was inspired by "obangsaek," the five traditional Korean colors of white, black, blue, red and yellow. “Instead of using the primary colors directly, I chose secondary shades,” he explained.