Jahye Khoo

Jahye Khoo is a South Korean playwright and theatre director known for socially engaged and experimental performances that challenge conventional theatrical representation. As the artistic leader of Theater, Definitely, Khoo explores contemporary social issues, marginalized identities, political violence, and the ethical responsibilities of theatre. After receiving recognition for the play Dust Island at the 2010 New Play Festival, Khoo began writing and directing original productions in 2012. Notable works include Waiting Room, This Dystopia, National Route 7, We Are (Not) For Jokes, and Roadkill in the Theater. These productions frequently question established social perspectives while experimenting with theatrical language, performers' voices, and the relationship between representation and reality. Khoo's artistic practice also emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, incorporating elements such as sign language interpretation, captions, and audio description into theatrical performances. Through collaborations with performers and communities, Khoo creates works that bring overlooked experiences and perspectives into public dialogue. In 2016, Khoo received the Performing Arts Award at the 7th Doosan Yonkang Arts Awards and the New Concept Theatre Award at the 53rd Dong-A Theatre Awards. The work continues to contribute to contemporary Korean theatre through an ongoing exploration of social responsibility, artistic experimentation, and inclusive performance.