National Dance Company of Korea's MASK OFF to Make North American Premiere in New York

Korean mask dance meets bold contemporary choreography, sound and technology,
October 31–November 1 at the Korean Cultural Center New York 
(122 E. 32nd St., New York, NY 10016)

NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Korean Cultural Center New York, a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, will present the National Dance Company of Korea's MASK OFF on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 1, at 5 p.m. These performances mark the work's North American premiere. Choreographed by company member Lee Jae-hwa, the hourlong production unleashes the raw energy of Korean mask dance through bold ensemble choreography and a propulsive score blending traditional rhythms, electronic textures and modern band sounds.

The work draws inspiration from talchum, Korea's traditional mask dance, which combines dance, theatrical storytelling, humor and social satire. Traditionally performed in communal outdoor settings, it offered ordinary people a space to satirize social hierarchies, express everyday frustrations and find release through shared laughter. Exaggerated gestures, rhythmic movement and uninhibited physical expression are central to the form.

Lee draws on these qualities to create a contemporary movement vocabulary, bringing talchum's spirit of freedom and playful defiance into the present. The choreography ranges from animal-like gestures and sequences reminiscent of breaking to fluid body waves and intricate ensemble formations. LED masks add a technological dimension to the work, bringing traditional imagery into dialogue with contemporary stagecraft.

Throughout MASK OFF, masks become a means of exploring the emotions people conceal and the roles they inhabit. As faces and bodies transform, the dancers create shifting relationships that invite audiences to reconsider how they see themselves and one another.

The score is by Park Da-ul, a geomungo player and a member of the band KARDI. His music responds to the dancers' movement and breath, intensifying the energy onstage.

Selected as an outstanding work in the National Dance Company of Korea's 2024 Choreographer Project, MASK OFF was presented as the closing performance of the 2025 International Modern Dance Festival (MODAFE).

The program is jointly presented by the Korean Cultural Center New York and the National Dance Company of Korea & National Theater of Korea, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), as part of the Touring K-Arts project.

Admission is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required through the KCCNY website. For more information and RSVP, visit www.koreanculture.org and follow @kccny on Instagram.

Creative Team

Choreographer & Director: Lee Jae-hwa 
Music Director & Composer: Park Da-ul
Stage Designer: Shin Seung-yeol 
Costume Designer: Kim Ji-won 
Lighting Designer: Won Jae-sung 
Sound Designer: Lee Sang-hyun 
Video Designer: Lim Young-sun 
Stage Manager: Oh Sang-young
Chief Producer: Oh Ji-won
Producer: Oh Su-jeong

About National Dance Company of Korea

Founded in 1962, the National Dance Company of Korea is Korea's leading dance company with strong repertoires accumulated under the leadership of the best dance artists of their times and with members of exceptional talent and abilities based on a wide range of performing experience. It has been at the forefront of creating very distinct contemporary works with traditional elements. The National Dance Company of Korea is constantly moving forward to develop original works that can resonate with the contemporary audience.

About the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY)
The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, was established in December 1979 to promote Korean culture and foster cultural exchange in New York. KCCNY presents a wide range of cultural and artistic programs, including exhibitions, performing arts, film, educational workshops, and more. At its home at 122 E. 32nd St. in Manhattan, KCCNY serves as a cultural hub where audiences can discover and experience the richness of Korean culture.

Press/Media Contact: Hun Hee Lee, Performing Arts Program Director, [email protected]

SOURCE Korean Cultural Center New York