Korean ballet stars grace intl stages

By Lee Hyo-won

The Korean ballet scene sees “counter-exports” of local talent, as dancers of the Korea National Ballet Company are being invited to play lead roles in overseas productions.

Kim Ji-young will appear at Teatro Massimo, Palermo at the end of the month. The prima ballerina will play the lead role in Luciano Cannito’s “Cinderella” as a first-cast dancer. Italian theater’s premiere of the piece will take place from May 20 to 25. Last year, Kim performed in productions by the Dutch National Ballet and the Rome Opera Ballet.

Ballerina Kim Li-hoe and ballerino Jung Young-jae will take part in an international classic ballet festival held annually in Tatarstan, Russia, in honor of the late legend Rudolf Nuriev. The dancers will play Nikita and Solor in “The Bayadere” as part of a gala presentation on May 28. They will showcase the famous Talisman pas-de-deux. The two made headlines last year by winning the grand prize ― with a score of 10 out 10 ― at the Arabesque ballet competition in Perm, Russia.

Meanwhile ballerina Kim Joo-won took center stage at Sydney Town Hall on April 4 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Korea-Australia bilateral relations.

The Korea National Ballet Company has also been invited to showcase its original ballet, “Prince Hodong,” based on a local epic romance, at the Teatro di San Carlo, Italy, on Oct. 12 and 13.