Four Korean Dancers, Including Junhyuk Jeon and Yuhee Choi,
to Join Royal Ballet's First Korea Performance in 20 Years
Gala Stage at LG Arts Center from 4th to 6th
"I believe this is a company made up of the best ballet dancers in the world. I am extremely proud to be a part of it."
Junhyuk Jeon, First Soloist of the Royal Ballet in the UK, made these remarks at the press conference for 'Royal Ballet: The First Gala' held on the 2nd at LG Arts Center Seoul.
The Royal Ballet will be performing in Korea for the first time in 20 years, with shows scheduled from the 4th to the 6th at LG Arts Center Seoul. The gala performance will feature key scenes from ten significant works in the Royal Ballet's history, ranging from classical to contemporary pieces.
Junhyuk Jeon, First Soloist of the Royal Ballet in the UK, is sharing his thoughts at the press conference for 'Royal Ballet: The First Gala' held on the 2nd at LG Arts Center Seoul. Photo by LG Arts Center
It is no exaggeration to say that Junhyuk Jeon is currently the most prominent male dancer in the Royal Ballet. Since joining the company in 2017, he was promoted for three consecutive years from 2022 to last year, quickly earning the position of First Soloist. The First Soloist rank is directly below Principal, the highest rank in the Royal Ballet.
Jeon said, "I am truly happy to be able to perform in Korea with my colleagues, whom I love and work with every day," describing his colleagues as very special.
"The colleagues I share the dressing room with every day are truly special friends, something that is hard to find in other companies. We positively influence each other both in our work and in our approach to ballet, and we are growing together. I feel a great sense of pride belonging to such a company. I am always grateful when I see these friends."
Jeon shared that he especially likes the works of Kenneth MacMillan, a legendary figure in the Royal Ballet. Although he has not yet performed a leading role in a MacMillan piece, he added that watching his colleagues perform these works brings him great happiness.
Kenneth MacMillan is considered a master of dramatic ballet and one of the most important figures in the history of the Royal Ballet. Along with Ninette de Valois, the founder of the Royal Ballet, and choreographer Frederick Ashton, he is credited with establishing the identity of the Royal Ballet. MacMillan's representative works include "Romeo and Juliet" and "Manon."
This performance will also feature the Act 1 balcony pas de deux from "Romeo and Juliet" and the Act 1 pas de deux from "Manon." Ashton's piece "Dance of the Napolians" will also be performed.
Kevin O'Hare, who has served as Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet since 2012, explained that the works of MacMillan and Ashton are referred to as the Heritage Program within the Royal Ballet. He added that the company was fortunate to work with such outstanding choreographers as MacMillan and Ashton from its early days.
Kevin O'Hare, Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet, Principal Dancers Vadim Muntagirov and Fumi Kaneko, First Soloist Yuhee Choi, and Junhyuk Jeon (from left) are taking a commemorative photo at the press conference for 'Royal Ballet: The First Gala' held on the 2nd at LG Arts Center Seoul in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by LG Arts Center
Since appointing a contemporary dance choreographer as resident choreographer in 2006, the Royal Ballet has been increasing its focus on contemporary works.
Artistic Director O'Hare stated that the Royal Ballet always encourages choreographers' activities, and announced that a new work by Joshua Junker, who is both a dancer and choreographer, will have its world premiere at this event. He also emphasized that, over the past two years, the Royal Ballet has only performed domestically in the UK, and this year will hold overseas performances exclusively in Korea and Italy, highlighting the importance of the Korean market.
"Joshua Junker has already presented works on the main stage of the Royal Opera House. I thought it would be wonderful to premiere a new piece in Seoul, so we arranged for this performance. Many of the Royal Ballet's young dancers will participate in this contemporary work."
Yuhee Choi, a fourth-generation Korean-Japanese ballerina who joined the company in 2003 and has been a First Soloist since 2008, will also return to the company through this gala performance. She recently gave birth to her second child. Choi will perform the pas de deux from "Asphodel Meadows," choreographed by Liam Scarlett. Asphodel refers to the afterlife where ordinary souls reside in Greek mythology. Choi participated in the premiere of "Asphodel Meadows" in 2010.
She said, "Sadly, Liam Scarlett has passed away," and added, "I want to dedicate this performance to him, cherishing the precious memories I shared with him as a good colleague and friend."
In addition to Junhyuk Jeon and Yuhee Choi, Bomin Kim, who joined in 2022 and was promoted to First Artist in 2023, and Hanna Park, winner of the 2017 Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) and set to be promoted to First Artist next season, are also scheduled to perform.
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