We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Bo Park. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bo below.

Alright, Bo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first time I knew I wanted to pursue this path was back in 2010. I moved to New York City to be an international student at Broadway Dance Center. Growing up in Asia(South Korea), I was under pressure from my parents to find “stable” jobs and never had a chance to do something I wanted to do. Which was learning, training as a dancer. The first class I took in my life was in New York City, I finally came to a realization that I would love to do what I love and follow my heart.

In terms of “choreographer” journey has been something I did not imagine. I started choreographing to find who I am as an artist. Never thought I would love to educate others, help others to grow until I saw my movements in others. I feel so much joy when I watch the dancers expressing themselves through my movements. I also never knew I would enjoy creating until I was being able to express my emotions through my pieces. The culture I grew up naturally taught me how to keep things to myself and not speak up, so it’s never easy for me to put into words when it comes to my feelings. But with movements, it becomes easier and I feel so released.

The “director” journey started from watching many different shows. Being in New York City, there are so many incredible shows that made me think outside of the box. I enjoy the shows that develop connections between the audience and the actors/dancers. A few years ago, I got to watch one of my favorite shows called “Fuerza Bruta” an immersive show, and that made me want to pursue my dream as a director.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born in South Korea, a manmade island(You won’t be able to find on google map haha) I was always fascinated by dancers since I was a kid. Due to k-pop culture, dance was always been something I was able to see on TV every day. As I mentioned on the previous question, I grew up under the pressure of going to the best college, get the best and stable job for my future so I never had a chance to learn or train dance as a young age. I tried to pursue my career as a physical educator but just before the test, I injured myself and had to go to a different college with a different major that I never thought of. A year of confusing, frustrating past by, I was able to convince my parents and got helped to go abroad to study English. But I ended up enrolling myself to the studio, Broadway Dance Center. (Yes I lied, my parents still make jokes about this.) During the program year, my family came to watch me in class dancing for my life, they finally ended up supporting me to do what I love.

When I came back to New York City in 2013 with artist visa to work as a professional dancer, I thought I wanted the same things as most of other dancers. Such as booking jobs for awards, big shows, tours, etc. A few years passed by, I realized that I was no longer enjoying much because it did not feel like myself on the stage. And that’s when I started choreographing. I still do not know how to define my pronounce, I am thinking maybe it’s because over 20 years living in Korea learning about what it’s like to be a woman, it’s hard to see myself as purely a female in some ways. But I do believe that I am. Which is the reason why I felt like I was nowhere to fit in the industry because sometimes, there were things I did not feel comfortable doing. The choreography journey really taught me a lot about my body, my movements and myself. I do my best to share this with community, that as an artist, it is the way for us to stay true to ourselves and be the best version of us.

I dance, teach, choreograph and direct shows. I have my regular open classes at Broadway Dance Center, Peridance, BrickhouseNYC and I am currently a faculty at Pace University Sands College performing arts. I have worked for Lil Nas X, BTS, Adam Lambert, Nike, Moncler, Michael Kors as a dancer and Virgin Voyages, Holland Cruise, Stars above Circus, LOONA, LANKS etc as a choreographer and DPR, Daydreamers, B_TTERLAND, LIMBO The Echo as a director.

Out of everything I have done, I am so proud of the company I created over the few years, SHINSA. SHINSA in korean means “Gentleman” but also it comes from the very first female artist name Shinsaimdang. The things I create with everyone in the company fulfills me the most!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I would want to say when it touches the viewer’s emotions. When I see them feel the emotions from what I create, the feeling I get can not compare with anything.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There were lots of moments, but the biggest one was the first year when I received an artist visa. I thought getting a visa itself would help me finally provide me some sort of financial support for myself, but unfortunately that was just the beginning. I wasn’t able to book any jobs for about a year, I had absolutely no idea where I was heading to, I felt like giving up and going back to my home country. Until one day, I booked a job and believed that things will happen if I was being consistent and believing in myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: boparkk.com
• Instagram: boparkk
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bo-park-855b02111
• Other: company website: shinsathecollective.com

Image Credits
1. LIMBO the echo (directed) 2. Persephone Virgin Voyages (Choreographed) 3. Scarlet Night Virgin Voyages (Choreographed) 4. DPR Regime World Tour (Associate Directed) 5. Slumber (Performer) 6. Adam Lambert (Performer) 7. LANKS MV (Choreographed)