Chinese writer Lu Xin’s 1921 novella “The True Story of Ah Q” is being staged as a contemporary dance piece by Korea’s state-run troupe this winter.

Choreographed by local artist Hong Sung-yop, “Ah Q” was premiered by Hong’s own, private troupe at LG Arts Center in 2006. It has been made into a new version for the upcoming show, after going through changes and script revisions. Hong has been serving as the artistic director of the Korea National Contemporary Dance Company since 2010.

One of the last performances staged by the KNCDC this year, “Ah Q” tells the story of Ah Q, a man who is born to rural peasant parents and receives little education. 

The flawed and impoverished character is fearful of those who are superior to him in power. However, he is rather nasty to those who are even less fortunate than him. Ah Q constantly and ridiculously deludes himself that he is a “victor.” For example, when he is beaten by someone who is of higher rank, he slaps his own face and says he is the victor because he is the person who is doing the slapping.

“Ah Q symbolizes those who have no sense of reality in China in the ‘20s,” said the troupe in a statement.

“The novella digs deep into the problems of the Chinese national character and its society at the time. We think the piece has a message for the contemporary Korean society as well.”

Throughout the piece, Hong uses many different objects, such as flowers, knives and conical hats, to explore the theme of power, human struggle and utter foolishness, and conditions of survival. Hong also uses music of different genres, from local pop to classical, for the choreography of the piece.

“Though based on the novella, the upcoming show is still a dance performance,” said the troupe. “There will be music and there will be stage art. We hope our viewers will get to experience both the literary excellence of the original novel and the superb modern dance performance.”

“Ah Q” isn’t the only piece of Hong’s that is based on a literary work. He previously made dance adaptations of local and foreign authors’ works, including popular Korean author Lee Oi-soo’s “Byeok-o-geum-hak-do,” Japanese writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s “Rashomon,” and Peter Shaffer’s play “Equus.”

Established in 2010, KNCDC is the country’s first state-run troupe dedicated to contemporary dance. The company recently had its first run of “Social Skin” earlier this month, a piece choreographed by critically acclaimed Israeli artist Uri Ivgi and Dutch artist Johan Greben.

“Ah Q” was previously featured at the Singapore Art Festival in 2008 and was performed in London in the same year as well. “Ah Q” runs from Dec. 27 to 30 at the National Theater of Korea in Jangchung-dong, Seoul. All tickets cost 15,000 won. For more information, call (02) 3472-1421.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)