ARKO Selection presents diverse spectrum of works

ARKO Selection's second set of six productions scheduled for mid and late-January includes two family-friendly musicals, two contemporary dance performances and two music concerts.

The topics covered in the productions range from borderline personality disorder to the life story of Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time. Other themes include human brutality and humanity in the digital age.

The works are among the 28 new repertoires funded by Arts Council Korea, an organization committed to fostering diverse arts and cultural activities in the country.

"Borderline personality disorder may be unfamiliar to some but is not uncommon among people these days. We approached BPD, often portrayed negatively, in a non-provocative and enjoyable manner,” said producer Hong Ji-won from the musical “Kiki’s Borderline Personality Disorder” on Tuesday during a press conference.

Borderline personality disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and difficulty controlling emotions, with individuals facing a higher risk of self-harm and self-destructive behavior.

The musical follows Kiki, who has BPD, as she becomes aware of and understands her condition. The production takes the form of a talk concert led by five hosts, with Kiki appearing as a guest. "Kiki" will run from Jan. 27 to Feb. 25 at CKL Stage in Jung-gu.

A family musical, "My Friend Warren Buffett," based on a children’s educational cartoon, is scheduled to run at Jongno Children’s Theater from Sunday through Feb. 18.

The play reconstructs the true story of Buffett's childhood, exploring economic concepts with his friend Tony Miller. The audience receives fake one-dollar bills and engages in interactions with the actors, spending or sharing the dollar during the performance.

On Jan. 27-28, artistic director Jung Hun-mok will present his dance performance "Yaras" at Daehakro Arts Theater, contemplating humanism in the age of artificial intelligence.

Jung, a choreographer for the Belgian dance theater company Peeping Tom for the past 15 years, brings his unique perspective to the stage.

From Jan. 26-28, Ahn Yeong-jun's dance production "Animal" at Daehakro Arts Theater focuses on the cruelty and violence in human nature.

Joo June-Young's music drama, "Si, Sonne!" is set to be staged Jan. 26-27 at the National Theater of Korea's Haneul Round Theater. Based on Chekhov's short story “The Death of a Clerk,” the production explores the pressure coming from the perspective of others, accompanied by a 12-member orchestra.

In the "Cross Concerto Project," classical composer Oh Ye-seung and jazz pianist Cho Yoon-seong come together for a classic-meets-jazz performance at the ARKO Arts Theater, on Jan. 27.