Life instinct, the power to live through the reality of the times

I Don’t Want to Die defines the ‘life instinct’ of teenagers in moments of crisis. Teenagers are supposed to be full of a robust energy for life, and they show their spirit in their determination to overcome despair, in efforts to survive in a world of violence, in their courageous choice to defy lies and unfair discipline, in their feeling of isolation after severing ties with others, and in facing the many problems shared by human beings during these times. To respond to all those troubles of life, choreographer Ryu Janghyun provides a whimsical but witty claim: “equip yourself with the desperate will to live, for that is the only way to overcome the cruel logic of the real world.”

Dance the way you feel, and move the way your body swings!

Teenagers are situated in the middle of life but are never allowed to indulge in a sense of fulfillment. And now they raise their voice, calling us to hear what they have to say. It is high time for them to do so, and we should listen intently. The eccentric choreographer Ryu Janghyun proposes a ‘dance’ for young people living in times of frustration. He hopes to see teenagers express their most primal instincts and desperate desire for life, even when they find themselves in a long, dark tunnel with no signs of exit. I Don’t Want to Die defines his creative imagination on a stage filled with palpable emotions and a dynamism based on a love and unique perspective towards young people. While life is full of unexpected twists and turns, it is also a source of meaningful stories for people. Let us appreciate these tales on the stage and experience what makes them so precious.

We are situated in the middle of life,

But are never allowed to indulge in a sense of fulfillment. So we cry out:

“Listen to my story!”

Play meets dance!

The ‘dance theatre’, a collaboration of actors and dancers!

Actors with strong characters and dancers with free spirits create a perfect harmony on the stage. The play stars hot actors who have gained a lot attention from recent plays, including Let the Right One In, Flying Boy KW4839, You Took a Shit and I Took a Fish, and the musical-The Chorus: Oedipus. And some of the most promising dancers will join them on stage to maximize the fun. Expect to see an exciting exhibition of dance, where actors become dancers and dancers become actors.

NTCK TYA Relay

The NTCK TYA Relay is a small annual festival that began in 2013. In 2016, with the NTCK TYA Relay, we shall take on a new challenge, focusing on the keyword ‘play’. Through the play, The Mackerel, we intend to introduce a story-telling theatre based on experiences of friendship, love, and growth of the two young female protagonists. The dance theatre, I Don’t Want to Die, will show how Ryu Janghyun’s whimsical but honest language of dance, colliding with the body language of teenagers, interprets and conveys the most primal instincts and desire for life. So, expect to see the NTCK full of the lively energy of teenagers in May.