Universal Ballet to Present "Ballet Chunhyang" After 3 Years... Soloist Han Sangi's Farewell Performance

June 13-15 at CJ Towol Theater, Seoul Arts Center
Official Selection of the 15th Korea Ballet Festival

The Universal Ballet will stage its signature original ballet, "Ballet Chunhyang," for the first time in three years.

On May 26, the Universal Ballet announced that it will perform "Ballet Chunhyang" as an official invitation piece at the 15th Korea Ballet Festival, to be held from June 13 to 15 at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center.

Performance scene of "Goodbye Padre" by Kang Miseon and Lee Dongtak
[Photo by Universal Ballet, (c) Lyeowon Kim]

"Ballet Chunhyang" is the Universal Ballet's second original ballet, which premiered in 2007. The work reinterprets the beautiful Korean classic through the melodies of Tchaikovsky and the language of ballet. In 2014, the music, stage, and costumes underwent a complete revision, and in 2018, minimalist stage direction using LED video was added. Through these modifications and enhancements, it has become one of the Universal Ballet's representative works.

The piece was also well received on international stages, such as the Royal Opera House in Oman in 2015 and the Teatro Mayor in Colombia in 2018.

The highlight of the work is the "pas de deux" between Chunhyang and Mongryong, which unfolds as their emotions shift. Chunhyang and Mongryong perform three pas de deux?"First Night Pas de Deux" (tension and excitement), "Farewell Pas de Deux" (sorrow and despair), and "Reunion Pas de Deux" (joy and elation)?demonstrating advanced technique and precise coordination.

In the latter part of Act 1, the farewell scene features a grand and dazzling female corps de ballet, while in Act 2, the scenes of the state examination and the secret royal inspector’s appearance are highlighted by a powerful and dynamic male corps de ballet.

The music features hidden masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, personally selected by Universal Ballet’s artistic director Yoo Byungheon and arranged by a professional arranger.

Soloist Han Sangi will deliver a "farewell" stage in this performance, partnering with Lee Dongtak. In addition, the pairs Kang Miseon?Lee Hyunjun and Hong Hyanggi?Igor Kontarev will each present performances with their own unique charm.