Dancer and choreographer Choi Ho-jong transformed into an 'AI humanoid' at the opening ceremony of the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, kicking off the festival with a powerful performance.
On July 3rd, Choi Ho-jong took to the stage at the Bucheon Art Center for the 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), based on the concept of 'post-human' where art and technology intersect, presenting a stage that symbolizes the changes and developments in human civilization, from the beginning of humanity through the collisions of cruel desires and evolution to civilization and AI (artificial intelligence).
Choi Ho-jong, appearing under the premise that the AI character from the intro video is realized, maximized immersion by showcasing acting and choreography that intersected the mechanical movements of artificial intelligence with complex human emotions to the music of 'The Nutcracker.'
In particular, this performance, which depicted a humanoid with emotions, is praised for organically combining precise physical expression and an emotional narrative, leaving a deep impression on the audience. The stage that encapsulated the beginning and evolution of humanity, as well as the future symbolized by artificial intelligence, was lauded for perfectly embodying the festival's aim of being 'the essential intersection of art and technology.'
Such intense interest was sensed even from the ticket sales stage. The opening ceremony tickets sold out completely as soon as they became available, proving the anticipation for Choi Ho-jong's stage. Additionally, the performance was broadcast live through the Naver Cheezig platform, surpassing 8,000 simultaneous viewers online and generating explosive reactions. During the broadcast, various reactions regarding the completeness of the performance, such as 'It feels like an AI, not a person' and 'AI is still far from replicating human movement,' occurred in real time.
This kind of response is not just a coincidence. In May, Choi Ho-jong set an unprecedented record of selling out all tickets within one minute during his solo planned performance, becoming the first domestic dancer to do so. The performance entered the top 10 of the real-time search chart of the ticket reservation platform, proving that he is establishing himself as a leading artist creating a new trend through the intersection of pure art and popular culture.
Meanwhile, Choi Ho-jong has been officially invited to perform at 'KCON LA' in Los Angeles, USA, from August 1st for three days, looking forward to meeting global fans. Anticipation is building for his next steps as he expands his presence beyond Korea to the world stage.
[Photo] Opening ceremony of the 29th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
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