The Second Arrow

The work Second Arrow by Kim Young-ran is based on the Buddhist teaching from the Samyukta Agama Sutra, which speaks of external pain (the first arrow) and our mental response to it (the second arrow). It offers insight into how people handle suffering and how attachment to that suffering can create even greater pain.

This performance commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Incorporated MUTDANCE and draws inspiration from their debut work, <Without Realizing>. With the theme "Suddenness, Absence, and My Mind" it uses symbols of nature and self-reflection to portray a changing self.

The structure of the performance is as follows:

Chapter 1. Suddenness

Unforeseen events suddenly occur—shock, incidents, death, fear, and pain...

Chapter 2. Absence

I pause to look around. The world moves on while I alone stand still.

Chapter 3. My Mind

I look into the countless paths within myself—arrows of greed, anger, foolishness, arrogance, and misguided views... I encounter myself within.

Chapter 4. Mutualism

A state of detachment... I am alone. A celebration opens within my heart.

Choreographer Young-ran Kim

Assistant Choreographer Seok-ji Jung

Photo by 이동