Dance performance 'Strangers' examines complex realities of human migration

A screenshot from a teaser for Dance Us Project's "Strangers" / Courtesy of Dance Us Project

Choreographer Kim Hyun-sun presents a dance performance drawing from her personal experience of moving from Korea to France.

Titled "Strangers," the ensemble performance is part of the upcoming Korea Dance Festival, held from Sunday to April 20. Hosted by the Korea Dance Association, the event gathers numerous dance teams from across Korea to perform and compete in Seoul.

"Strangers" by Dance Us Project delves into the complex realities of migration and emotional displacement — the quiet sense of not quite belonging, the subtle weight of loneliness and the continual negotiation of identity.

“While living in France, most people treated me kindly, and I didn’t face significant discrimination or difficulties," Kim told The Korea Times. "I still felt an indescribable sense of loneliness. Simply being there, looking different from those around me, seemed to create a feeling of isolation. The language barrier also played a big role in that experience.”

"Strangers" ultimately suggests that even in cycles of isolation and identity searching, we can find opportunities for self-acceptance and connection — paving the way toward a more integrated, sustainable life.

“Naturally, I encountered moments of discomfort and unfamiliarity while adjusting to a different culture — whether it was forming relationships, handling administrative tasks, eating meals or even small daily habits like greetings and farewells," Kim said about living in France.

"However, there were also moments when I realized they’re just like me. Despite cultural differences, I believe that at our core, humans share fundamental traits and emotions that transcend borders.”

Filipino American dancer Kyle James Abraham / Courtesy of Kyle James Abraham

Dance Us Project is composed primarily of a Korean cast. But the work integrates intercultural elements.

“The piece includes one foreign dancer," Kim said. "Since most of the audience will be Korean, I expect that he will naturally draw a lot of attention due to his distinct appearance. While he may stand out, I want to focus on showing how he interacts and blends with the other dancers.”

Filipino American dancer Kyle James Abraham said that being part of "Strangers" felt meaningful and aligned with his own experiences.

“One of the experiences that I can also understand is not being able to utilize verbal communication. I want to express my viewpoints but my vocabulary is limited and at times unnatural,” he said.

“I’m coming to terms with the current limitations and differences of connection... and that’s my motivation expressed in my movement as I perform this piece.”

Kyle’s performance, shaped by his lived experiences and dance expertise, makes him a natural fit for the work.

French composer David Lavaysse / Courtesy of David Lavaysse

The original score by French composer David Lavaysse further enriches the piece. Lavaysse worked closely with Kim to musically articulate the themes of isolation and transformation. By blending Korean instrumentation with Western elements, his score evokes both distance and closeness — mirroring the emotional journey of the piece. His personal story also intersects with the theme, having moved to Korea after his first visit in 2022.

With its layered storytelling and global collaboration, "Strangers" stands out as a piece that can help to remind us that feeling like a stranger is also a part of being human. However, with every moment of disconnection, there are also cycles of possibility and discovery or rediscovery that can bridge us across differences.

The theme for this year's Korean Dance Festival is “Ecology: A Dance of Circulation.” Participating teams will interpret this concept through Korean Creative Dance, a genre that fuses traditional Korean dance with more current influences. The festival’s theme challenges artists to explore what it means to cycle through different aspects of life, relationships and/ or the environment.

"Strangers" will be performed on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Arko Arts Theater in Daehangno, central Seoul.

Visit theater.arko.or.kr for more information.

A poster for the Korea Dance Festival / Courtesy of Korea Dance Association

Antonia Giordano is a freelance photographer and writer based in Seoul. An adoptee, Antonia deeply understands and connects with the issues surrounding adoption and post-adoption. Visit giordanoantonia.myportfolio.com and follow @antonia_creative_services on Instagram.