Philippe Decouflé, French choreographer and dancer, speaks about his upcoming show "Shazam!" at the LG Arts Center in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of LG Arts Center

Philippe Decouflé, a pioneer of experimental performance art, returned to Korea with his iconic work "Shazam!" By seamlessly blending dance, theater, and various other art forms, his innovative approach has led to the coining of the term "Decouflerie" in the French lexicon. This term describes the fusion of dance, circus, and film that serves as the cornerstone of his productions.

"Given the numerous magical transformations in the performance, such as dancers vanishing and reappearing or morphing into different shapes and images, I believe the title 'Shazam!' is highly appropriate, capturing the magical essence of the show," said the French choreographer and dancer during a press conference ahead of his upcoming Seoul shows, scheduled for Oct. 25-27 at LG Arts Center in western Seoul.

Decouflé, who previously worked with the renowned Cirque du Soleil, reflects on the lessons he learned at a circus school during his teenage years.

"I had a teacher who taught magical skills to make people materialize and vanish seemingly at will. I was constantly intrigued by the surreal and otherworldly scenes."

Premiered in 1998 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival, "Shazam!" has captivated audiences in over 200 performances. This groundbreaking piece explores the intriguing interplay between the real and the virtual, paying tribute to traditional analog film techniques.

Dancers perform Philippe Decouflé's "Shazam!" at Chaillot-Theatre National de la Danse in Paris in this 2019 photo. Courtesy of DCA Company

Decouflé aims to celebrate the "beauty of aging" in his latest performance in Seoul, bringing back nearly all the original cast members who first brought the show to life 26 years ago.

This reunion enhances a key scene featuring an old black-and-white 16mm film clip of dancers from the premiere, followed by a live recreation where today's dancers mirror the movements from the original footage.

Highlighting the theme of aging, the audience will witness a solo performance by the dancer who premiered the piece in 1998 as a vibrant 25-year-old.

"Today, at 52, she continues to grace the stage with the same routine. While her leg lifts might not reach the full 180 degrees they once did, I believe time has left remarkably little trace on her artistry," Decouflé said.

"Technically, she still executes 95 percent of the piece with the same precision. And what she might lack in those remaining 5 percent, she more than compensates for with something else entirely. Perhaps it's the depth of feeling her movements convey, the elegance she exudes, or simply the immense presence she's cultivated over years of performing. I think it's truly inspiring to see someone grow more beautiful with age."

Decouflé, who plans to give an impromptu performance himself, hopes to offer a "fresh bubble of air" to the audience.

"As our daily lives are not always filled with joy, I hope that by attending my performance, they will feel as if they have encountered a bubble of fresh air or oxygen, leaving them feeling happy and refreshed," the artist said.

He added it would be truly rewarding if the performance inspires the audience to explore dance themselves.

"Dance is a remarkable art form that enables the human body to age gracefully, preserving its beauty over time. Dancing is not only a form of exercise but also a source of immense joy, so I encourage everyone to give it a try."