KCrush BIDAM 2023 – Interview with BIDAM Artistic Director Shin Eun-ju

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 weekend’s 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 “KOREALITY – (None) Necomancy” 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 country’s 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 Here’s What Happened! Podcast
Bylines at http://Authory.com/CarolynHinds
Phone: (647)216 – 5283
Twitter & Instagram: @CarrieCnh12

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