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| Korean National Ballet's principal dancer Park Seul-ki is one of three ballerinas who will perform the role of Rang in "Hoi Rang." Courtesy of Korean National Ballet |
By Anna J. Park
The Korean National Ballet (KNB) will present its original dance titled "Hoi Rang" Nov. 6-10 at Seoul Arts Center's Opera Theater in southern Seoul.
The 110-minute modern ballet is the story of a strong-willed female character called Rang, who disguises herself as a man to join the army to save her ill father and lead the victory in a war.
The plot was inspired by the compilation book "Ilsayusa," published in the early 20th century in Korea, which collected famous stories of low and middle-class citizens of the 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom.
It is the national ballet company's third original piece, created to showcase homegrown ballet to international audiences, following "Prince Hodong" in 2009 and "Heo Nan Seol Heon" in 2017. More than three years have been spent preparing this piece.
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| Korean National Ballet's artistic director Kang Sue-jin, center, speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday. KNB's soloist Kang Hyo-hyung, right, is the original ballet work's choreographer. Courtesy of Korean National Ballet |
"I think, from a global perspective, anybody in the world can easily follow the story and share its sentiment," KNB artistic director Kang Sue-jin said during a press conference on Wednesday. "It just feels like Walt Disney's fairy tale. This original ballet marks a new challenge for the Korean National Ballet to advance one more step. I am very proud of it."
The national troupe's principal dancers Shin Seung-won and Park Seul-ki danced the lead female role during its premiere in May in Yeosu, southwestern Jeolla Province. For the Seoul performance, soloist Park Ye-eun joins to alternate as Rang.
"When compared to well-known classic and romantic ballet repertoires, the Rang character demonstrates a very energetic and active female personality," said Han A-reum, the ballet's scriptwriter.
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| "Hoi Rang" employs dynamic combat scenes, where female lead character Rang dances with 24 male dancers. Courtesy of Korean National Ballet |
To properly show Rang's independent and proactive nature, the choreography reflects such distinctive features of the main female character. In a combat scene during the war, Rang dances with 24 male performers, holding a knife in her hand.
"There's an incredible amount of energy in combat scenes of this ballet," choreographer Kang Hyo-hyung, who is also a KNB soloist, said. "Also, 'Hoi Rang' is very speedy-paced. The whole plot and dance moves are being unfolded very quickly. From group dance and soloists to principal dancers, every one of the dancers on stage pulls off dynamic and spirited dance moves. I hoped to make audiences hold their breath watching the ballet."
From Nov. 6 to 8, there will be performances at 7:30 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 9-10, performances will be held at 3 p.m. For more information: www.sac.or.kr.
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| From left, director Seo Jae-hyung, script writer Han Areum, KNB's artistic director Kang Sue-jin, choreographer Kang Hyo-hyung, costume designer Luisa Spinatelli and set designer Jeong Seong-ho pose for a photo during a press conference at the Seoul Arts Center, Wednesday. Courtesy of Korean National Ballet |
