- Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre Presents, Dancing City Incheon 2025 -
From June 7 to 21, the Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre (Artistic Director Yun Seong-ju) will present Dancing City Incheon 2025, a three-week celebration where dancers and audiences come together to create a city infused with the spirit of dance.
First launched in 2008, Dancing City Incheon is a dedicated dance festival that embraces open stages and shared artistic experiences. Its mission is to bring the joy and beauty of dance into everyday life, offering “dance that is always close by.” This year’s program features an outdoor performance series and a high-caliber closing performance, transforming urban spaces into vibrant artistic venues.
The outdoor performances, Early Summer in Songdo and A Day in the Grand Park are large-scale, audience-friendly events staged in high-traffic areas to heighten the festival atmosphere. At landmark sites such as Songdo Central Park and Incheon Grand Park, the Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre will showcase signature pieces from its traditional Korean dance repertoire.
The final week culminates with Iconic Selection – Dokbo, a sophisticated theater production for dance enthusiasts. This performance highlights artistic excellence and offers a poignant conclusion to the festival.
Week 1. A Grand Opening on the Outdoor Stage, Early Summer in Songdo
The first week of Dancing City Incheon 2025 kicks off with Early Summer in Songdo, a performance staged outdoors. The special stage, set in a bustling area, breaks down the barriers between performers and the audience, inviting everyone to experience the exhilaration of moving in sync with the rhythm of dance.
Now a signature event of the festival, the Songdo Central Park outdoor performance has become an annual tradition that draws both residents and tourists. On June 7, two distinct performances will be presented: a sunlit afternoon performance filled with vivid choreography and a mesmerizing evening performance under neon lights and moonlight.
Week 2. A Family-Friendly Escape at the Incheon Grand Park, A Day in the Grand Park
On the second weekend of Dancing City Incheon 2025, dance takes center stage where cherry blossoms once bloomed—at the Incheon Grand Park. A Day in the Grand Park is a family-oriented, healing performance held at the park’s Eoeul Keunmadang (Grand Stage). It offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere where audiences can encounter Korean traditional dance in a serene, natural setting. Scheduled for daytime hours on June 14 and 15, the performances are designed to attract casual park visitors and invite them to explore the beauty of traditional dance amidst green lawns and refreshing summer breezes.
Week 3. The Closing Performance to Highlight Our National Artistic Directors, Iconic Selection – Dokbo
The grand finale of Dancing City Incheon 2025 showcases outstanding performances by leaders of the Korean dance scene.
On June 21 at the Bupyeong Arts Center, national dance company directors will convene to present a mix of traditional and contemporary works that explore the present and future of Korean dance.
The performance opens with the group dance scene “Struggle from the Upper Seat” from the Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre's signature piece Water Castle – Rabbit’s Escape, followed by a full showcase of the artistic directors’ stages.
Park Ki-ryang, choreographer with the Jindo National Gugak Center’s Dance Company, presents Boggaechum, drawn from Jeseokgut of Jindo Ssitgimgut (Purification Ritual of Jindo)—a ritual wishing for good fortune. Her dance is followed by Pan, an original choreography by Lee Jeong-yun, artistic director of the Busan Metropolitan Dance Company, which reflects on life’s contradictions through movement. Then, Yoon Hye-jeong, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theatre, presents Maenson Salpuri – Sewol, a meditation on parting and the passage of time.
Kim Hye-rim, artistic director of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Dance Company, presents Simsim, Narye, a contemporary reinterpretation of the ancient rites of Guna Euirye. Next, Kim Chung-han, artistic director of the National Gugak Center’s Dance Company, fills the stage with Sogo Dance, reimagining the original version of Jo Taek-won, a pioneer of modern Korean choreography, to carry forward the legacy of traditional dance. The stage closes with Damcheong by Yun Seong-ju, artistic director of the Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre—an evocative work that captures the serenity and introspection of early dawn. Like the subtle yet profound hue of damcheong, a soft blue-green pigment, these final performances by Korea’s dance masters will leave a lasting impression.
Admission to all performances is free, but reservations are required for the closing performance, Iconic Selection – Dokbo, via the Incheon Arts Center website. Each person may reserve up to four tickets.
Celebrate the freshness of early summer in a city overflowing with movement—join us for Dancing City Incheon 2025.
Contact: Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre (+82-32-420-2788)
Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre, Dancing City Incheon 2025
Outdoor Performance I: Early Summer in Songdo
- Sat, Jun. 7, 2025 / 4 PM & 8 PM / Songdo Central Park’s Special Grass Stage
Outdoor Performance II: A Day in the Grand Park
- Sat, Jun. 14–Sun, Jun. 15, 2025 / 3 PM / Eoeul Keunmadang (Grand Stage), Incheon Grand Park
- Closing Performance: Iconic Selection – Dokbo
- Sat, Jun. 21, 2025 / 4 PM / Haenuri Theater, Bupyeong Arts Center (Ages 8+)
○ Admission: Free (All seats)
○ Hosts: Incheon Metropolitan City / Incheon Arts Center / Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre
○ Contact: Incheon Metropolitan City Dance Theatre (+82-32-420-2788)
