Celebrating its fourteenth year of celebrating Korean dance and dancers, the Busan International Dance Market (BIDAM) which was held October 13th – 15th at the Geumjeong Cultural Center, is a program that brings the world of Korean dance and music culture to the world and the world to Korea.
Created by critically lauded dancer and choreographer Shin Eun-ju whose acclaimed work spans decades, BIDAM seeks to show that creatives of all ages, backgrounds, and interests come together to showcase their abilities to speak their experiences in a medium that needs no translation.
During my trip to Korea this year it was my absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to sit with Shin who operated the Shin Dance Company of Korea, to discuss her work as the Artistic Director of BIDAM, Executive Director of the Busan International Dance Festival (BIDF), and the newly created Busan Performance Dance Market (BPAM).
There were multiple categories to the programs this year where dancers performed award winning choreographies in the Korea Young Dance Challenge, the BIDAM Pitching program where executives and choreographers from various international dance companies presented new concepts for pieces currently in development, the BIDAM showcase, which I attended and watched performances from Korea, France, and Quebec.
Following the BIDAM Pitch presentation were the weekendās final two performances. At the BPAM groups from all over the world showcased their talents in singing, acting, dancing, composition, and writing. Some even did a combination of all like Bodytalk, a German based production company which in collaboration with SIDance presented āKOREALITY – (None) Necomancyā an almost psychedelic blending of multiple art forms.
Photo credit – Park Sang Yun
For our interview, Shin discussed her philosophy of using dance to connect to nature and the elements – earth, wind, water, fire, and sky – and her countryās rich heritage and her wish for others to do the same. Using music from various genres and era and different countries such as traditional Pansori, European classical music, contemporary sounds like Jazz and even animals, Shin exemplifies the diversity of Korean artists.
Carolyn Hinds
Freelance Critic, Journalist & Podcaster
African American Film Critics Association Member, Tomatometer-Approved Critic
Co-Host & Producer So Hereās What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12
User Review
( votes)Related Articles
KCrush Interview with Sean Dulake
Sean Dulake has a way of making you feel like you already know him. Whether heās charming audiences on Korean primetime dramas or pulling fans into the whirlwind fantasy of Dramaworld, the actor, writer, and producer has built a career that blends... Read More
BLACKSWAN Prepares to Show New Colors in KPOPPED
On August 29, 2025, the world will be able to tune into Apple TV+ and binge KPOPPED, a new competition series unlike anything weāve experienced before. Artists from around the world will collaborate to reimagine one of their chart-topping songs,... Read More
KCrush Interview with Hwina
Rising K-pop newcomer Hwina is captivating listeners with her poetic lyricism and emotional depth. After debuting with hits like "Like a Tree", she quickly became a name to watch, not only for her delicate yet expressive vocals but also for her... Read More
Fantasia IFF 2025 – KCrush Interview with ‘Haunted Mountain: The Yellow Taboo’ with Director Tsai Chia Ying and Producer Ivan Chen
We know the five stages of grief to be denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, but what if thereās a sixth unnamed emotion? Regret. Written by Zou Wan-Zhen (Women in Taipei), and directed by Tsai Chai-ying (The Remains), the new... Read More
Jeonju IFF 2025 -KCruch Interview with “Toe Tapping Tunes”, Filmmaker Lee Jung-hyun
During the 25th annual Jeonju International Film Festival, award-winning South Korean actress and singer, Lee Jung-hyun made her directorial debut with the dramatic short Toe-Tapping Tunes, alternatively titled Going to See the Flowers, in which... Read More
Fantasia IFF 2025 KCrush Interview with ‘Noise’ Filmmaker Kim Soo-jin
ļ»æWhen describing sound or music that evokes feelings of being uneasy, overwhelmed, confused, or scared we call it noise. Noise connotes something thatās undefined in a way that music and sound arenāt, and in his award winning feature Noise,... Read More
Jeonju IFF 2025 āColorless, Odorlessā Interview with Director Lee Eunhee and Producer Kim Shinjae
For her debut feature length documentary Colorless, Odorless, which screened as an official selection at the 2025 Jeonju International Film Festival, experimental visual artist and filmmaker Lee Eunhee investigates the toxic and deadly nature of the... Read More
KCrush Interview With Lemiti U: Interview Responses by CheMis
Thank you for the opportunity to talk about Lemiti U and this very personal project. Below are the responses to your interview questions: 1. Can you introduce Lemiti U & the story behind its formation? Lemiti U was born from the creative urge to... Read More
Jeonju IFF 2025 KCrush Interview with ‘Ulysses’ Filmmaker Uwagawa Hikaru
ļ»æ Is there any singular moment in our lives that is ever truly without meaning? In his debut feature film Ulysses, Japanese filmmaker Uwagawa Hikari seeks to find this out through seemingly random improvised sequence of events and discussions... Read More
Leave a Reply