Photo: Jaha Koo and Eunkyung Jeong
In Haribo Kimchi, we find ourselves in a pojangmacha, one of the typical late-night snack bars found on the streets of South Korea. In a series of intimate, absurdist anecdotes, Jaha Koo takes us on a culinary journey for those dislocated from their culture.
The surprising flavor of seaweed soup, the sharp sound of a knife slicing cucumber, the hiss and sizzle of mushrooms on a scorching fire. In Haribo Kimchi, we find ourselves in a pojangmacha, one of the typical late-night snack bars found on the streets of South Korea. There, we meet three characters—a snail, a gummy bear, and an eel—who take us on a culinary journey, exploring food as shelter for those dislocated from their culture. In a series of intimate, absurdist anecdotes, they recount the evolution of kimchi culture, the bitter pain of unadulterated racism, the shame of trying to blend in and the deep umami taste of home.
After his Hamartia Trilogy (2021), which delved into the far-reaching imperialism in East Asia, South Korean theatre maker and composer Jaha Koo returns with his newest creation. In a hybrid style that combines music, cutting-edge video, and robotic performers, the artist reflects on cultural assimilation with all its conflicts and paradoxes. In an exceptional performance that plays with all the senses, he serves up personal stories marinated in sweet-and-sour melancholy.
After his Hamartia Trilogy (2021), which delved into the far-reaching imperialism in East Asia, South Korean theatre maker and composer Jaha Koo returns with his newest creation. In a hybrid style that combines music, cutting-edge video, and robotic performers, the artist reflects on cultural assimilation with all its conflicts and paradoxes. In an exceptional performance that plays with all the senses, he serves up personal stories marinated in sweet-and-sour melancholy.
Premiere: Tangente St-Pölten, St. Pölten (AT), 2024
Duration: 60 min
Trigger warning: This performance contains loud music, strong kimchi smell, and frying smells.
Duration: 60 min
Trigger warning: This performance contains loud music, strong kimchi smell, and frying smells.
Title in Korean: 하리보 김치
Credits
Concept, text, direction, music, sound, and video
Jaha Koo
Jaha Koo
Performance
Gona, Haribo, Eel, Jaha Koo, and two guests
Gona, Haribo, Eel, Jaha Koo, and two guests
Dramaturgy
Dries Douibi
Dries Douibi
Scenography, research collaboration, and media operation
Eunkyung Jeong
Eunkyung Jeong
Artistic advice
Pol Heyvaert
Pol Heyvaert
Technical coordination
Korneel Coessens, and Babette Poncelet
Korneel Coessens, and Babette Poncelet
Technical Team
Bart Huybrechts, Tom Daniels, and Jasse Vergauwe
Bart Huybrechts, Tom Daniels, and Jasse Vergauwe
English proofreading
Jason Wrubell
Jason Wrubell
Snail animation
Vincent Lynen
Vincent Lynen
Production
CAMPO
CAMPO
Co-production
Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Brussels), Rideau de Bruxelles, Theater Utrecht, SPRING Festival (Utrecht), Festival d’Automne à Paris, Théâtre de la Bastille (Paris), Tangente St. Pölten – Festival für Gegenwartskultur, Espoo Theatre (Espoo), International Summer Festival Kampnagel (Hamburg), Sophiensaele (Berlin), Meet You Festival(Valladolid), Bunker (Ljubljana), National Theatre and Concert Hall (Taipei), The Divine Comedy International Theater Festival / Teatr Łaźnia Nowa (Kraków), and Perpodium
Kunstenfestivaldesarts (Brussels), Rideau de Bruxelles, Theater Utrecht, SPRING Festival (Utrecht), Festival d’Automne à Paris, Théâtre de la Bastille (Paris), Tangente St. Pölten – Festival für Gegenwartskultur, Espoo Theatre (Espoo), International Summer Festival Kampnagel (Hamburg), Sophiensaele (Berlin), Meet You Festival(Valladolid), Bunker (Ljubljana), National Theatre and Concert Hall (Taipei), The Divine Comedy International Theater Festival / Teatr Łaźnia Nowa (Kraków), and Perpodium
With the support of
the tax shelter of the Belgian Federal Government via Cronos Invest and the Flemish Government
the tax shelter of the Belgian Federal Government via Cronos Invest and the Flemish Government
The prototype of the eel was developed as part of Innovation:Lab’s Funnel, in co-production with Theater Utrecht and creative technologists Adriaan Wormgoor and Willem Vooijs.
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Photo: Bea Borgers
Photo: Bea Borgers
