BIOGRAPHY

Sun Kim is a distinguished dancer, choreographer, artistic director, and dance educator. Hailing from South Korea, she specializes in Popping – a style of street dance in which she finds strength and freedom to speak her truth. Most recently, she has been honored with the 2022 Emerging Artist Award at Harlem Stage Gala and was nominated at the 2022 Bessie Awards for Outstanding Breakout Choreographer.

Sun's passion for dance began at a young age. When she was 12 years old, she started learning Breaking and Popping. She quickly fell in love with the art form and knew that she wanted to pursue it professionally. After training for 10 years, she moved to NYC in 2011. Since then, she has achieved many accomplishments, such as winning Step Ya Game Up world final Popping battle, making it to the top 8 at UK B-Boy championship world final as the USA Popping representative, and performing for Cirque Du Soleil. Additionally, Sun Kim has taught at various institutions such as Princeton University, Broadway Dance Center, Peridance Center, and Kookmin University in South Korea.

Rather than staying in her comfort zone, she continues to challenge herself in different industries such as commercial jobs for Madonna, Elton John, Phish, Nike, McDonald’s, Golden Goose, and Gap, and also in the theater industry, she presented her own work for Burning Man at Sotheby's, Harlem Stage, Breakin’ Convention, Jacob’s Pillow, New Victory Theater, and Mark Morris.

This breadth of experience has allowed her to develop a unique perspective and approach to directing and teaching that has established her own dance company, Sun Kim Dance Theatre (SKDT). SKDT has been performed at LayeRhythm/Works & Process Guggenheim with New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, MOPTOP Anniversary, San Francisco International Hip Hop Dance Festival, Ladies of Hip Hop Festival, Dance Parade NYC and Choreographer’s Carnival.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Art serves as my language of expression. My journey into communication was delayed, as I didn't start speaking until the age of four, and verbalizing my thoughts always presented a formidable challenge. Words were often elusive for me. However, dance arrived as a transformative force in my life, offering an avenue where the weight of speech dissipated. In the world of dance, I found a medium through which I could authentically convey who I am without the need for words.

Over two decades have passed, yet this fundamental truth remains unchanged: the art I create must emanate from my own narrative, my unique story. Authentic creativity arises from within, rooted in one's identity, experiences, memories, and emotions—no one else's.

When I choose a subject to explore, I delve into my memory bank to establish a profound connection with the topic. I then challenge myself to push the boundaries and experiment with different elements within the work. This process was the birth of "Lost and Found." and "Alien of Extraordinary." What began as a small idea evolved into something far more meaningful. Instead of fixating on the final result, I immerse myself in the creative journey, exploring it deeply. The outcome becomes not just what I had imagined but also something greater.

I hold a firm belief that art establishes a profound connection between the performer and the audience, offering a healing touch through this connection. In this shared experience, both artist and viewer find solace and renewal.