The island of Yeong-do in Busan, off the southern coast of the Korean peninsula, is known as the home of the mythological Chollima (천리마), or “thousand-mile horse”, so named because of its fabled ability to run 1,000 miles in a single day.  Said to be too great for any mortal to ride, it was so fast that its own shadow could not keep up. Thus, it broke its shadow, leaving it behind on the island as it hurtled away.

The piece begins energetically, suggesting the power of the Chollima, and hinting at what is to come as it runs gracefully, not yet at full pace. After a middle section, in which it teases its power, it finally opens up, leaving its shadows and all else behind.

Island of Broken Shadows was commissioned by and is dedicated to Jeehee Ha.