[Culture Interview] "Korean Dancers Have World-Class Skills... Now It's Time to Blossom on the Global Stage"

Juwon Kim, Artistic Director of the Busan Opera House Ballet Company

"I believe that the day is not far off when a Korean original ballet production will attract global attention, just like the original musical 'Maybe Happy Ending.' There are many outstanding dancers and choreographers. Now, it is time for Korean ballet to consider expanding its horizons."

Juwon Kim, Artistic Director (49), said in an interview with The Asia Business Daily that Korean original ballet productions are already ready for export and that the day they will blossom on the world stage is approaching.

As she noted, the skills of Korean dancers have already reached a world-class level. Last year, ballerino Yoonjae Park won the prestigious Prix de Lausanne, and Mincheol Jeon swept the Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP). In October of the same year, Mincheol Jeon officially joined the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world's top ballet companies. "Our generation studied abroad to build our capabilities and returned to take on leading roles. Now, we are in an era where dancers who have learned and grown in Korea are starring on the global stage. This means the skills of Korean dancers are truly world-class."

Juwon Kim, Artistic Director of Busan Opera Ballet and Korea Ballet Festival
[Photo by EMK Entertainment]

Korean Ballet Must Consider Expanding Its Horizons Like the Musical 'Maybe Happy Ending'

Director Kim went to study in Russia when she was in the second year of Sunhwa Arts Middle School, becoming the first Korean student at the Bolshoi Ballet School. After graduating from the Bolshoi Ballet School in 1998, she joined the National Ballet Company as a principal dancer and performed in leading roles until 2012. In 2006, she was awarded the Best Female Dancer at the Benois de la Danse, the most prestigious award in the ballet world, establishing herself as a leading Korean ballerina. She was the second Korean recipient of this award, following Soojin Kang, Artistic Director of the National Ballet Company.

The growth of the dancers has elevated the standard of domestic ballet companies. Director Kim stated, "I am confident that the National Ballet Company is the best in Asia," and emphasized, "Now, to leap onto the world stage, we need content." She pointed out that, like leading ballet companies worldwide, there should be a repertoire that symbolizes the company. She added, "There are many excellent choreographers, but we need an environment that fosters their growth." "We need artistic directors, producers, and systems that can nurture talented choreographers. We must find links to the global stage in areas like marketing and publicity, which ballet dancers may not have considered."

Juwon Kim, Artistic Director, plans to move to Busan in mid-February. This is to prepare for the Busan Opera House Ballet Company's first performance of the year, scheduled for April. She has been leading the company for three years as the inaugural artistic director of the Busan Opera House Ballet Company since 2024.

There Are Many Outstanding Dancers and Choreographers... 'Content' Is Needed to Leap onto the World Stage

Busan aspires to become a city of culture and the arts. Following the opening of the Busan Concert Hall last year, the Busan Opera House is set to open next year. The Busan Metropolitan City plans to operate the Opera House as a production theater for opera and ballet, and is currently running the Busan Opera House Ballet Company as a project-based group. Director Kim said, "When the Opera House opens next year, the ballet company will finally have a home."

It is not easy to operate a ballet company in a regional area. In fact, the Gwangju City Ballet is the only regional company that operates stably with regular season performances. The Gwangju City Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Director Kim remarked, "I am newly impressed by the fact that an arts organization has been established and continued for 50 years in a regional area."

The Busan Opera House Ballet Company faces a shortage of both budget and rehearsal space. They prepare for performances while moving between the Busan Citizens' Hall and the Busan Cultural Center, and the stage conditions are not ideal for ballet. "If there is even a 0.5cm gap in the floor under pointe shoes, the dancer's foot can turn, increasing the risk of losing balance and injury. That is why, before laying rubber mats to level the stage, plywood must be laid first. Most ballet companies and theaters have plywood, but in Busan, there is nowhere to rent it, so performances are held without it. As a result, the sound of pointe shoes becomes louder, and dancers have to avoid grooves in the floor while performing."

Juwon Kim, Artistic Director of Busan Opera Ballet and Korea Ballet Festival
[Photo by EMK Entertainment]

Busier Than During Her 'Practice Addict' Days... Finds Happiness Watching Her Juniors

Since 2024, Director Kim has also served as Artistic Director of the Korea Ballet Festival. The 16th Korea Ballet Festival opens on May 1. After completing the Busan performance, she must immediately return to Seoul to begin preparations for the festival's opening. This year, the festival will feature a special performance for choreographers at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center. Once the festival concludes in June, she will have to prepare for the Busan Opera House Ballet Company's performances in July, October, and November.

She is managing a busy schedule, traveling between Seoul and Busan. It seems she is even busier now than during her days as a so-called 'practice addict.'

"I used to feel as though I would disappear without dance after leaving the stage. I thought not dancing was akin to death. However, at some point, the time I spent dancing naturally decreased, and I found myself spending more time watching my juniors move," she said. "It is surprising to me that, having always been in the spotlight on stage, I now find fulfillment and happiness behind the scenes. There were many painful moments while dancing. Because I understand those feelings, I can help my juniors, and that makes me even happier."