🩰 This Week's Ballet & Modern Dance Hot Issues! - 2026.04.17🩰 This Week's Ballet & Modern Dance Hot Issues! - 2026.04.17

Hello, fans! Your ballet geek is back this week with a heart-pounding load of news! 🩰✨

🌟 The World Watches K-Ballet: ABT Studio Company in Korea!

Finally, today (17th) and tomorrow, the ABT Studio Company's first gala performance in Korea will be held at the Mapo Art Center! ^[1] It makes my heart swell with pride to know that our Korean dancers Park Geon-hee, Park Su-ha, and Park Yoon-jae will take the stage as principal dancers among the next-generation aces of the world-renowned American Ballet Theatre (ABT)... 😭 Artistic Director Sascha Radetsky also highly praised them, saying, "The whole world is paying attention to Korean ballet education!" ^[1]

Plus, we have huge news! Dancer Park Su-ha, who often plays a leadership role despite her young age, will be promoted to an ABT apprentice starting late May! ^[1] After her apprenticeship, she will go straight to becoming a full company member. That's absolutely insane...👏 We will unconditionally support our 'Three Parks' dancers as they expand their spectrum from classical to contemporary ballet and show explosive energy! ^[2]

🌊 Universal Ballet's <Shim Chung> 40th Anniversary

The pride of K-ballet, Universal Ballet's iconic original ballet <Shim Chung>, is celebrating its 40th anniversary! It will be grandly staged at the Seoul Arts Center Opera Theater from May 1st to 3rd. ^[3] For this 40th-anniversary performance, former Universal Ballet members Professor Seo Yang-beom and CEO Kim Hyun-woo will make special guest appearances as Simbongsa, adding depth to the piece. The overwhelming group dance on the Indangsu sea and the gorgeous stage set in the Dragon Palace—you know you'll regret it if you don't see it live, right? Make some noise if you successfully scored tickets! 🗣️

🔥 '21st Century Dance Genius' Crystal Pite's First Visit

Time for modern dance fans to grab their hearts! The Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, known as the '21st-century dance genius', is finally meeting Korean audiences for the first time! ^[4] Her new work <Assembly Hall>, which is also the Korean debut stage for her own dance company 'Kidd Pivot', will be performed at LG Arts Center Seoul from June 5th to 7th. ^[4] This is your chance to witness the intricate group dances and theatricality of a master who has won the prestigious Olivier Award in the UK five times! Mark your calendars right now! 📅

🏆 Modern Dance Wins Grand Prize at Seoul Arts Awards

We have proud news that a modern dance piece won the Grand Prize at the 4th Seoul Arts Awards! 🎉 It's a piece called <Leak> by 'Chumpan Yamu'. It received tremendous praise for opening a new horizon for dance by expanding the phenomenon of leaking water into a discourse on poverty and burnout in modern society. ^[5] In addition, wheelchair modern dancer Kim Yong-woo won the Special Award! ^[5] It's truly moving to see the power and artistry of our dance shining so brightly.

🎬 Sweet News You Shouldn't Miss

• Yeom Da-yeon Cast as Lead: Fairy-like dancer Yeom Da-yeon, who swept 2nd place and the Audience Award at the 54th Prix de Lausanne, has been cast as the lead in Artistic Director Jung Hyung-il's new work <Mondrian>! Expectations are maxed out for this stage that mixes the aesthetics of classical ballet with the senses of modern dance!
• Seoul Dance Film Festival Opens: From today (17th) to the 19th, the 9th Seoul Dance Film Festival is being held at Art Nine! The opening film is the documentary <CHASE> about Chase Johnsey, who coolly cracks the gender norms of ballet. ^[6] A hip festival where dance and film meet—isn't it perfect for a weekend outing?

Let's happily fangirl/fanboy this week too while watching the legendary stages created by the sweat of our artists! I'll be back next week with more fun and exciting news! Bye~ 👋

📰 Reference News (6)

1

ABT 스튜디오, ‘K-발레’ 3박과 첫 내한…“전 세계가 韓 발레 교육 주목”

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.17

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2

Universal Ballet's Original Ballet 'Shim Chung' 40th Anniversary Performance Opens in May... 'Simbongsa'...

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.12

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3

Dance and Film Breaking Boundaries... Seoul Dance Film Festival Opens on the 17th

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.15

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4

‘21세기 무용 천재’ 국내 관객과 첫 만남

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.16

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5

ABT Studio's First Visit to Korea with 3 Korean Dancers... "The World Pays Attention to Korean Ballet Education"

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.15

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6

경계 허무는 춤과 영화…서울무용영화제 17일 개막

네이버뉴스 · 2026.04.17

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