Professor Park Jaegun Awarded Grand Prize by Korea Ballet Association

Professor Park Jae-geun, Sangmyung University

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Korea Ballet Association announced on the 5th that Professor Jaegeun Park of Sangmyung University was selected as the grand prize winner of the 25th Korea Ballet Association Awards.

Professor Park was recognized for his contributions to the development of the Korean ballet scene through encouraging the artistic activities of male dancers and international exchange, including serving as Vice President of the UNESCO International Dance Competition Federation and President of the Asian Federation, and establishing and operating the world-class Korea International Ballet Competition.

This year's Artist of the Year Award goes to Professor Kyungja Heo, invited professor at Seoul Institute of the Arts. She was recognized for her dedication to the development of ballet performance art and education as a former member of the National Ballet Company. The 'Work of the Year Award' is awarded to Professor Mobin Cho of Dankook University, and the 'Ballet Educator of the Year Award' to Teacher Dohee Shim of Goyang Arts High School. The 'Honorable Parent Award,' given to those who have raised proud ballet artists, goes to Youngjoo Son, mother of Jang Unkyu, director of Seongnam City Ballet Company.

The 'Prima Ballerina Award,' given to the best female dancer of the year, was awarded to Yuhui Son, principal dancer of Universal Ballet Company, and the 'Danseur Noble Award,' given to the best male dancer, was awarded to Hajiseok Ha, soloist of the National Ballet Company. The 'Rookie Dancer Award' was given to Hyewon Seo, demi-soloist of Universal Ballet Company. The winners of the 23rd New Choreographer Contest were Hae-ni Lee, Jean Jang, and Bitna Kim, who were selected as 'Best Choreographer Award,' 'Excellence Choreographer Award,' and 'Best Dancer Award,' respectively.

The Korea Ballet Association Awards were established in 1996 to honor ballet artists who have contributed to the development of ballet. The awards ceremony will be held on the 20th at the Korea Artists Center in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul.