This is a rare chance to see The Vegetarian, Han Kang’s globally acclaimed novel, reimagined as a dance theatre production—and making its Asian stage debut in Shanghai. Dark, poetic, and deeply physical, the work explores violence, resistance, and the cost of refusing to conform, told entirely through bodies in motion. Officially authorised by Han Kang herself, this is a striking, thought-provoking premiere at YOUNG Theatre.

About the Production

Dance theatre The Vegetarian is adapted from the novel by South Korean author Han Kang, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. The original work follows the physical and psychological transformation of its female protagonist, Yeong-hye, who stops eating meat after a dream and gradually refuses explanation, nourishment, and social definition, moving toward an existence that resembles a plant more than a human being.

This production marks the first stage adaptation of The Vegetarian in dance theatre form in Asia and is the only officially authorised adaptation in mainland China. Rather than recreating the novel literally, the work translates its inner tensions into movement, focusing on how invisible, everyday violence quietly erodes the body and the self. Through choreography, the performance examines free will, patriarchy, and the boundaries between rationality and madness.

The early dramatic structure and conceptual approach of this dance theatre adaptation were reviewed and approved by Han Kang herself, ensuring that the core spirit of the original work is preserved through physical expression rather than language.

Synopsis

The story centres on Yeong-hye, whose decision to stop eating meat begins a gradual withdrawal from the structures that define “normal” life. Her refusal to be explained, corrected, or repaired pushes her further toward a silent, plant-like state of being. As her body resists function and social expectation, the violence surrounding her becomes increasingly direct, exposing the fragile foundations of family, intimacy, and societal order.

Director’s Statement

Director and choreographer Jiang Fan approaches The Vegetarian with a sense of awe and restraint. Rather than aiming for realism, the production focuses on revealing the subtle, chilling process through which violence infiltrates everyday life. The work asks whether Yeong-hye’s refusal represents the helpless resistance of the weak or the final clarity of the wise, and whether something new can emerge from the collapse of her inner world. The audience is invited to experience this tension together, without clear answers, through a shared exploration of the boundaries of what society defines as “normal.”

Playwright’s Statement

Playwright Zhuang Jiayun describes the novel as a journey that constantly pushes the limits of the body and mind. The adaptation begins from the unresolved frustration present in the original text: how society treats lives that refuse to be explained. When language fails, the body remains, carrying both power and trauma. This production places exhausted, struggling bodies on stage, transforming cycles of infantilisation, domestication, and sexualisation into a sensory theatrical experience that gives presence to voices that have been silenced.

Performer & Creator Biographies

Jiang Fan — Choreographer / Director

Jiang Fan is an independent theatre artist and a graduate of the Shanghai Theatre Academy. He is a joint artist of the Shanghai International Dance Center Theatre and co-founded the collective “Three Bowls Cooperative” with playwright Zhuang Jiayun in 2017. His work focuses on narrative and interdisciplinary possibilities within dance theatre. His productions have toured across Europe and Asia, with notable works including Folded Shadow, The Table, and Omnivore.

Zhuang Jiayun — Playwright

Zhuang Jiayun works internationally as a playwright, dramaturg, and concept developer. She holds a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from UCLA and is an Andrew Mellon Award recipient. Her work focuses on dance theatre, documentary theatre, and digital performance, with a particular emphasis on feminist themes. She co-founded “Three Bowls Cooperative” with Jiang Fan and has presented work at major international festivals.

Shen Lujun — Producer

Shen Lujun holds a degree in Theatre Producing and Management from Columbia University. Her producing credits include large-scale national projects and international collaborations with institutions such as the UK National Theatre. In 2023, she founded the theatre brand “Mad Attic,” focusing on the development of original contemporary works.

Shen Li — Stage Designer

Shen Li is a professor of stage design at the Shanghai Theatre Academy. A graduate of the academy’s scenography department, he has designed over ninety theatre productions, including spoken drama, opera, and experimental theatre.

Liu Yilan — Lighting Designer

Liu Yilan is a lighting designer with a master’s degree from the Shanghai Theatre Academy and currently works with the Shanghai Ballet. Her work has been recognised by national arts foundations and has toured major theatre festivals across China.

Wang Yi (EAU) — Composer

Wang Yi, known as EAU, is a sound and visual artist based in Shanghai. He studied modern music at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Chalon, France. His work spans audio-visual art, physical theatre music, sound installations, and experimental synthesis.

Zeng Yunzhu — Costume Designer

Zeng Yunzhu is a stage costume designer and styling director. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Beijing Dance Academy and a master’s degree from the Yale School of Drama. Her recent work spans opera, theatre, musical theatre, and dance productions.