CHOOM-URO Festival 2026

Choom-uro (춤으로), meaning through dance in Korean, is more than a festival—it is a way of life.

The Korean American Arts Council’s first annual Choom-uro Festival is an interdisciplinary showcase celebrating the diverse voices of the Korean American diaspora. Grounded in Korean cultural heritage while embracing contemporary and global forms, Choom-uro brings together communities, creative practices, and artistic perspectives.

Here, movement extends beyond choreography—it becomes breath, voice, sound, silence, and rhythm. Through heritage and innovation, Choom-uro creates connections across generations, cultures, and artistic worlds, recognizing every gesture as part of the greater dance of life.

PROGRAM
The program presents four distinct works, including Korean traditional dance, contemporary Korean dance, popping-style dance, and interdisciplinary practice.

Featuring Sue Yeon Park, Sun Kim Dance Theatre, Dahyun Lee, and Jin Won, the evening unfolds through various movement languages and artistic approaches—from Salpuri and contemporary interpretations of Korean dance to street dance and interdisciplinary work drawing from Indian classical Kathak dance and theater.

Together, these pieces reveal the breadth of Korean and Korean American expression today, opening a dialogue between heritage, contemporary practice, cultural memory, and individual artistic voice.

FEATURED ARTISTS AND WORK
Jin Won — Interdisciplinary Dance Drawing from Kathak
Dance of Wings

Sun Kim Dance Theatre — Popping & Contemporary Dance
MA (Work-in-progress excerpt)

Dahyun Lee — Traditional & Contemporary Korean Dance
Tal Tal Tal (탈탈탈)

Sue Yeon Park — Korean Traditional Dance
Salpuri

POST-PERFORMANCE ARTIST CONVERSATION
The event will conclude with a Q&A and conversation with the participating artists, offering audiences an opportunity to hear more about the works, creative processes, cultural influences, and ideas behind them.

Join for an afternoon where heritage, contemporary expression, movement, sound, and story come together on one stage.