Sung Im Her
Photo: BAKI
Born in South Korea, Sung Im Her obtained a master’s degree in contemporary dance at Hansung University in 2003, at which point she already had been working with Ji-Gu Dance Theater for six years. In 2004, she moved to Brussels, Belgium to study at P.A.R.T.S., the acclaimed contemporary dance school led by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. She worked with Les ballets C de la B, Needcompany, Abattoir Fermé, Opéra de Lille, before beginning to create her own work. She moved to the UK over 7 years ago and brings a unique triality of culture to the UK dance sector that is rare and unrivalled with such success.
In her work, Sung Im Her tries to strike a balance between a stripped-down, almost formal aesthetic and a content-driven narrative style. She creates work that references social expectation, beliefs and values & reflects that back to audiences, questioning or at times challenging our thinking.
Sung Im has been selected for development programmes Testbeds Catalyst, Aerowaves 21, Choreodrome at The Place. She has been commissioned by Seoul Performing Arts Festival, Counterpoint Arts and Korean Arts Council, and supported by Arts Council England, Seoul Foundation of Arts and Culture, Horizon Showcase and more.
Some of Sung Im’s key achievements include:
Received “Dance Artist of the year” Award from Korea Ministry of Cultural (2022 - 2023)
Named as one of ten "stage sensations to watch out for in 2023" by The Guardian.
Selected artist as part of Horizon Performance Created in England (2022)
Guest Choreographer with Korean National Contemporary Dance (2022 - work touring England & Europe spring 2023)
Worked as Movement Direct for New Diorama Theatre and the National Theatre in addition to her choreography work
Received 5-star review from The Skinny for Nutcrusher presented at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Aerowaves Artist 21 (2021)
Sung Im Her’s Touring Productions include:
Where is the Rabbit?, currently in the R&D stage, to premiere at Daehakro Grand Hall, Seoul in 2024
Tomorrowisnowtodayisyesterday, in its creation stage, to premiere at Seoul Performing Arts Festival in October 2023.
Everything Falls Dramatic, premiered at Seo Jong Arts Center, Seoul in 2022 and Belgium and the UK in 2023
W.A.Y. (rework), supported by Korean Culture Centre UK, Korean Arts Management and The Place, premiered 2021
The I of the Beholder, Victoria & Albert Museum, 2020
NUTCRUSHER, premiered at ARKO Theatre, Seoul and The Place, London in 2019
