Korean ballerina Seo Hee, 38, is celebrating a remarkable milestone as she marks her 20th year with the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the United States. Since joining ABT in 2005, Seo has worked her way up through the ranks to become a principal dancer in 2012, establishing herself as one of the leading figures in international ballet.
Reflecting on her two-decade journey, Seo expressed deep gratitude for her career achievements. "Twenty years flew by. I approached every performance with a spirit of craftsmanship, and I am proud that I dedicated myself to dance for two decades," Seo said in a written interview. Her success story is particularly meaningful given the support she received early in her career from anonymous benefactors who believed in her potential.
Driven by a desire to pay it forward, Seo has been actively giving back to aspiring dancers in her home country. "When I was a student, I received financial support from people whose names I didn't even know. I told myself then that I would help others as much as I had been helped," she explained. True to this promise, Seo established The Hee Seo Foundation ten years ago, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young ballet dancers in Korea.
The foundation's activities are comprehensive and far-reaching. Each year, Seo returns to Korea to conduct free ballet classes across the country, making high-quality dance instruction accessible to students regardless of their financial circumstances. Additionally, her foundation provides scholarships to students attending art schools, helping to remove financial barriers that might prevent talented dancers from pursuing their dreams.
However, Seo takes particular pride in what she considers her foundation's most significant achievement: hosting the Korean qualifying round of the Youth Grand Prix (YGP), an international ballet competition and scholarship program. "This was my effort to create opportunities for young dancers to compete internationally without leaving Korea," Seo explained. "Through YGP Korea, I brought a prestigious global competition here, easing the financial burden on parents."
The YGP Korea program serves multiple purposes beyond just competition. "This project also allows me to invite ballet masters from around the world to teach local students," Seo noted, highlighting how the initiative brings international expertise directly to Korean dancers. This year's qualifying competition took place in Seoul with sponsorship from Seoul Cyber University, demonstrating the growing support for the program.
In a special celebration of YGP Korea's 10th anniversary, organizers staged their first gala performance featuring both past competition winners and current participants. "Watching the young dancers command such a grand stage was both astonishing and deeply gratifying," Seo said, clearly moved by witnessing the next generation of talent showcase their abilities on a prestigious platform.
For Seo, her commitment to nurturing future artists stems from a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the demanding world of professional ballet. "For a great artist to be born, generous support is essential," she emphasized. "I, too, have been able to stand here today thanks to the love and encouragement I received from so many people. That is why I want to give back the support I once received to the next generation."
As she continues her illustrious career with ABT while simultaneously fostering young talent in Korea, Seo represents a powerful example of how established artists can create lasting impact beyond their own performances. Her dual commitment to artistic excellence and philanthropic giving demonstrates the profound influence that successful artists can have on their communities and the future of their art form.
