Je_Burnt Offering: contemporary dance at the Korean Cultural Center

The Korean company 99ArtCompany presents Je_Burnt Offering, a choreographic creation that blends ritual, contemporary dance, and traditional heritage. Winner of the Seoul Arts Awards in the best production category, this work questions modern society through dance movements imbued with spirituality and symbolism. On stage at the Korean Cultural Center in Paris, the piece offers a reflection on the combustion of everyday life, drawing on powerful images inspired by Korean culture, at the heart of the Parisian scene and fall cultural events.

Choreographer Jang Hye-rim revisits the traditional Seungmu dance to create a world where movement becomes an offering. The dancers gather around a symbolic altar, performing the repetitive gestures of the offering in a hypnotic rhythm inspired by the relentless cycle of modern life. As the tension builds, the choreography evolves into a more expansive form, guided by a liberating and sensory energy. The show combines dance, song, and Korean music, creating an immersive experience where tradition is transformed into a contemporary ritual, placing the work firmly in the context of the performing arts and the most notable creations of 2025.

Founded in 2014, 99ArtCompany is committed to renewing Korean dance by connecting ancient heritage with contemporary creation. Trained at the Korea National University of Arts, Jang Hye-rim collaborates with artists engaged in reflecting on the role of art in society. The company's works—Breathing Swing, Abyss, Silence, and Land of Roses —reflect a search for artistic sincerity and spiritual resonance, driven by a vision in which tradition remains alive and in constant flux, contributing to the rise of contemporary dance on the Parisian scene.

Presented as part of the Touring K-Arts program, in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center and with the support of the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, KOFICE, and the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture, Je_Burnt Offering is part of a dynamic effort to promote Korean arts internationally. The play highlights the ability of live performance to question the tensions of the present through an aesthetic rooted in cultural memory and yet resolutely contemporary. The show can be seen at the Korean Cultural Center on November 21, 2025.