Blue-eyed Mongryong dances in ballet 'Chunhyang'

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Vladimir Shklyarov of the Mariinsky Ballet has the lead role of Mongryong in the Universal Ballet Company's original ballet "The Love of Chunhyang" through Sunday.

Shklyarov, who visited Korea for a gala performance with the UBC last year, said he gladly accepted playing the Korean heartthrob when the company offered him the role.

"The Love of Chunhyang" is a ballet adaptation of Korea's most famous love story, “Chunhyang,” a courtesan's daughter who falls in love with Mongryong who is a noble.

"Though it portrays a Korean folktale and sentiment, I think Chunhyang is a new, sophisticated ballet of high quality," Shklyarov said during a press conference at the Universal Art Center, Tuesday.

The 34-year-old dancer is an all-rounder, proficient at classical ballet as well as drama and modern works. His repertoire includes classics such as Duke Albrecht in "Giselle" and Prince Siegfried in "Swan Lake" as well as new creations Zephyr in "The Awakening of Flora" and Harlequin in "La Carnaval."

Shklyarov said he enjoys working on a new ballet as he can communicate with the choreographer and the role can be adjusted to best suit the dancer.

"There is an original text, but this is a ballet version. The characters can be different according to the choreographer's interpretation. I know that I am poles apart from the traditional Korean Mongryong, but I will present my best as a dancer as there are no boundaries in art," Shklyarov said.

For him, the most unique aspect of dancing Mongryong is that he holds props such as a folding fan and writing brush. "It was difficult to dance while holding the props, but now I understand the meaning and beauty of them," the Russian dancer said. "I have danced in many classical and modern ballets, but Chunhayng is very special in many ways."

Brian Yoo, artistic director of the UBC who choreographed the ballet, said Shklyarov learned the choreography very quickly.

"We invited Vladimir for a gala last year and he liked the pas de deux from Chunhyang. So we asked him to dance the full piece this year," Yoo said. "We had a short rehearsal period, but he learned the moves quickly and has a good understanding of the character. He even read a book version of Chunhyang's tale translated into Russian and asked me about why the book character was different from the dance role."

UBC's "Chunhyang" premiered in 2007, but has been through revisions a few times. Choreographer Yoo said the latest version finally feels complete. A major change was the music, which has been changed from Kevin Barber Pickard to Tchaikovsky.

"The previous music was interesting, but I thought the orchestration was weak. After I heard the Manfred Symphony by Tchaikovsky, I discovered the Korean tempo of Gutgeori Rhythm within it," Yoo said. "Starting from there, I listened to all the works by Tchaikovsky for three months, looking for the right music for Chunhyang. It had to be not so famous, but go with the love story of Chunhyang."

UBC's prima ballerina Kang Mi-sun will dance Shklyarov's counterpart Chunhyang.

"I have taken part in Chunhyang since its incarnation in 2007, dancing in the chorus and as Chunhyang's maid Hyangdan and now finally Chunhyang. Vladimir is my fourth partner as Mongryong and he is very expressive. As he gets into the swing of the choreography, I find very Korean movements in his dancing style," Kang said of her partner.