Ambiguous Dance Company is set to captivate Seoul audiences with their latest production "The Belt," a high-octane contemporary dance performance that embodies the troupe's signature blend of raw energy and genre-defying movement. The work, choreographed by artistic director Kim Bo-ram, comes to the National Theater of Korea following a successful premiere in London last year.

The company's name may suggest uncertainty, but Ambiguous Dance Company has established one of the most distinctive and recognizable identities in Korea's performing arts landscape. Known for movements that transcend traditional dance genres and an unmistakably charged physical language, the group has consistently worked to broaden contemporary dance's appeal and accessibility to wider audiences.

"The Belt" takes its title from the continuous motion of a conveyor belt, representing an endless loop that transmits movement from one element to the next. This concept reflects the seamless flow of time and kinetic energy within the company's dancers, where past and present, and present and future, merge into an unbroken chain of movement and expression.

According to Lee Hee-jin, producer from creative group DOT which co-produced the work, "'The Belt' is a condensation of the raw power that has always defined Ambiguous Dance Company." She emphasized that the company has consistently challenged the notion that contemporary dance is inaccessible to general audiences. "They communicate directly through raw energy. 'The Belt' is a work that embodies the company's past, present and its vision for the future," Lee explained in an interview.

The musical composition for "The Belt" proved to be an intense creative challenge for music director Choi Hye-won, who described the process as "an extreme sport." Kim Bo-ram's direction was straightforward but demanding: "Just keep running for an hour." Choi responded by creating a relentless musical journey, never allowing the pace to slow down throughout the entire performance.

Working with five or six core musical motifs, Choi developed seven or eight individual tracks and seamlessly wove them into a single, hour-long musical surge. The resulting composition creates a dynamic arc that begins by experimenting with rhythm and gradually builds momentum, accelerating toward an ecstatic, high-speed climax that mirrors the dancers' intense physical journey.

When "The Belt" made its world premiere at London's historic 120-year-old Coronet Theatre, it was presented as a site-specific and participatory performance experience. Audiences moved freely through the performance space, encountering dancers at close range and becoming part of the immersive theatrical environment.

For the Seoul premiere, the production has been adapted as a traditional stage performance, expanding on what Kim describes as "Part Two" of the London version. The Seoul staging introduces a new rave-inspired party sequence that invites audience members to join the dancers, effectively dissolving the conventional boundary between performer and spectator.

Reflecting on the London premiere's reception, artistic director Kim noted the universal appeal of their artistic language. "The response there convinced us that our language can transcend borders. 'The Belt' doesn't aim to present a fixed idea of beauty; instead, it asks questions that awaken each audience member's senses," Kim explained. "I want Korean audiences to join us on this unpredictable journey."

Established in 2008, Ambiguous Dance Company has long been committed to making contemporary dance more accessible and popular among diverse audiences. The company gained international recognition and viral fame through their collaboration with traditional Korean band Leenalchi on "The Tiger Is Coming," which became part of the Korea Tourism Organization's "Feel the Rhythm of Korea" campaign in 2020.

The group further expanded their global reach in 2021 through high-profile collaborations with British rock band Coldplay, contributing choreography and performances to the music videos for "Higher Power" and "Good Feelings." These projects demonstrated the company's ability to blend Korean contemporary dance with international pop culture, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.

The production represents a significant milestone for the company, coming after their February celebration of the 15th anniversary of their signature hit piece "Body Concert." This legacy work has been instrumental in establishing Ambiguous Dance Company's reputation for creating contemporary dance that resonates with both critics and popular audiences.

"The Belt" runs through Sunday at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul, offering local audiences the opportunity to experience the company's latest evolution in person. The production promises to deliver the high-energy, boundary-pushing performance style that has made Ambiguous Dance Company a standout force in Korea's contemporary arts scene.