"The boy who teared up saying 'I feel happy when I do ballet' has become the 'Korean Billy Elliot'"

Ballerino Jeon Mincheol Joins World-Class Ballet Company
Video of Ballet Aspirations on 'Youngjae Balguldan' 7 Years Ago Goes Viral

Recently, it was announced that ballerino Jeon Min-cheol (20) has joined a world-class ballet company, sparking renewed interest in his appearance on a TV show seven years ago.

Elementary school student Jeon Min-cheol, who did not give up on his dream despite conflicts with his father. [Image source=SBS YouTube capture]

On the 8th, several online communities shared screenshots from episode 101 of SBS's 'Young Talent Discovery' aired in March 2017. The footage showed elementary school student Jeon Min-cheol passionately pursuing dance despite his father's strong opposition. In the captured scene, his father Jeon Jae-yong called him over and asked, "Are you going to continue dancing? Will you keep dancing even when you become a middle school student?" Without hesitation, Jeon Min-cheol replied, "Yes." When his father pressed again, saying, "You study hard and do well, so shouldn't dance just be a hobby?" Jeon Min-cheol expressed his conviction, "I just like dancing," while showing signs of tears.

When his father tried to persuade him again, saying, "There aren't many cases of men succeeding in dance in our country," Jeon Min-cheol responded, "That's about other people. Since people don't recognize me just as a dancer, that's why I also audition for Billy (Billy Elliot)." Then he sharply asked, "Can't you see me happy, Dad?" After saying this, he returned to his room, buried his face in his blanket, and cried for a long time.

The panel watching the broadcast at the time commented, "The father's concerns are realistic," but also continuously praised him, saying, "You can't reach this level just by being forced. He is really good."

Ballerino Jeon Min-cheol, who is scheduled to join the world-class Russian Mariinsky Ballet as a soloist in February next year. [Image source=Instagram capture]

The reason this old footage has become a hot topic is that Jeon Min-cheol, who was an elementary school student then, has grown into a respectable ballerino and is scheduled to join the world-class Russian Mariinsky Ballet as a soloist in February next year. He attended Sunhwa Arts Middle School and Sunhwa Arts High School before entering the Korea National University of Arts Dance Department in 2022. In 2023, he won first place in the senior pas de deux category at the Youth America Grand Prix competition, earning him an exemption from military service.

Netizens who saw this reacted with comments such as, "Now that the son has become a world-class ballerino, the worried father can finally rest easy," "I'm so glad things worked out," "He seems like the Korean version of 'Billy Elliot'," "His unwavering conviction at such a young age showed he was destined for greatness," and "Truly amazing and touching."