Modern interpretation of ancestral ritual dance wins award in New York

By Yoon Ju-hye Posted : January 21, 2026, 15:06 Updated : January 21, 2026, 15:06
Choreographers Jung Hye-jin (right) and Kim Seong-hun accept an award in New York on Jan. 20, 2026. Courtesy of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts
SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - "One Dance," a contemporary interpretation of South Korea's royal ancestral ritual presented by the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, won an award in New York on Tuesday.

It won the New York Dance and Performance Awards, also known as the Bessie Awards, which annually honor outstanding achievements by independent dance artists.

Choreographers Jung Hye-jin, Kim Seong-hun, and Kim Jae-deok, who collaborated on the modern adaptation of a ceremonial dance from Jongmyo Jeryeak, shared the honor with three other winners selected from 12 nominees.

The work was praised for its "visually captivating" choreography, striking a perfect balance of stillness and movement.

Jung said, "'One Dance' reflects the spirit of people who endured together with one heart toward a single goal," adding that the award was the result of the time and effort that many people devoted to the project.

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