Bo-me Koo

I was born and raised in Seoul, Republic of Korea. While I was interested in pursuing a career in biology research, experience both in making and watching theatre changed my life. After that, I have pursued a deeply interdisciplinary academic path, majoring in Aesthetics and Communications BA, and Performative arts MA at Seoul National University. 

My major question in studying performance is related to its significance as media. Why and how have performance existed as a major yet disruptive form of human activity throughout the history of mankind? In order to approach this question, I have studied and wrote a thesis on Antonin Artaud’s Theatre of Cruelty in my previous MA, and am searching for methods to analyze the key components of theatrical art in relations to social institutions and revolt. 

While my research in performance have mainly been a theoretical one, I am also an avid theater-goer and have participated as a performer in various amateur productions or clubs. My interests in such practices have been diverse, and I have performed in dance performances, plays, and musicals. I believe such experiences have influenced my ways in relating between various components that form performative arts, and also my methods of critique on actual practices.

Why Performance Studies?

I chose the Performance Studies program because I believed such interdisciplinary approach aligns well with my academic path and interests, while also providing a firm background in the unique field of Performance Studies. Also, as a program made up of students and faculty from various experiences and fields, I believed that the program would be ideal for researchers hoping for vibrant communications between theory and practice.