The Korean National Ballet is commemorating the 10th anniversary of its acclaimed choreographer development program by presenting a special showcase that highlights the most remarkable works created over the past decade. The anniversary celebration, titled "History of KNB Movement Series," features eight carefully selected pieces that demonstrate the program's success in nurturing new choreographic talent.
Among the featured works is "Season; Spring," an ethereal piece that exemplifies the artistic vision fostered by the program. Set on a small circular dance floor painted with cherry blossom petals to resemble a lake covered with drifting blooms, the performance captures the delicate beauty of nature's cycles. A female dancer moves gracefully like a single falling petal, her arms and dress flowing with wind-like elegance, while two male dancers circle her like playful breezes, sometimes hovering like birds or spirits guiding the petal's flight.
The piece unfolds to the sweet, delicate sounds of the gayageum, a traditional Korean zither, with each note carefully plucked to enhance the scene's ethereal beauty. "This piece is a metaphor for the fleetingly beautiful moments of life," explained Lee Young-cheol, the choreographer and Korean National Ballet ballet master, in an interview with The Korea Herald. "It is based on the idea that life has no set answers; we move through it, encountering precious moments as they come."
"Season; Spring" has gained international recognition, having been performed as part of the Royal Ballet's International Draft Works in the United Kingdom in 2024, and in Paris for a special Korean National Ballet gala commemorating the Olympic Games. The work represents the global reach that pieces from the Movement Series have achieved.
Lee Young-cheol, a former principal dancer who spent 18 years with the company and has served as ballet master since 2021, premiered the piece in 2019 during a period when he was contemplating retirement from dancing. His inspiration came from a small lake behind the company's building and the cherry blossom trees lining its banks, which became a place for personal reflection. "In spring, petals scatter across the water, forming pink-hued surfaces and sometimes creating paths, as if guiding the course of life itself," Lee shared, explaining how he channeled this meditation into his work.
"I hoped my final days would be just as beautiful. I came to accept quietly that life has its seasons, and that all things eventually come to an end," Lee reflected on his transition from dancer to choreographer. Another source of inspiration was "hwamunseok," a traditional royal dance floor mat adorned with flowers, where dancers would perform before the king. Lee said the challenge was balancing the imagery of the blossoms with the elegance of traditional aesthetics, aiming to harmoniously blend tradition with contemporary ballet.
The music for "Season; Spring," performed by gayageum artist Ju Bora, features the lyric: "You are my season, and I am your flower." Lee explained the deeper meaning: "I think it expresses the inevitable yet precious moments of our relationships – just as seasons and flowers are intertwined. As a dancer, I hoped that the moments when I performed would be meaningful for someone else, and at the same time, that I could be such a presence for others. That sentiment resonated deeply with the lyric."
The KNB Movement Series was launched in 2015 under Kang Sue-jin, the company's artistic director, with the dual purpose of supporting dancers' post-performance careers while nurturing new choreographers. Over the past decade, the program has proven remarkably successful, with 25 choreographers creating 65 original works. The initiative has become a vital platform for dancers interested in choreography to demonstrate their potential and develop their artistic voices.
Several aspiring dancer-choreographers who participated in the program have gone on to achieve international success. Notable alumni include Kang Hyo-hyung, Park Seul-ki, and Song Jung-bin, who have created works performed on international stages. Lee Young-cheol himself has been the program's most prolific contributor, participating every year and submitting nine works – more than any other dancer-choreographer in the series.
Reflecting on his artistic journey, Lee described how his perspective on performance evolved: "When I was a dancer, there were times when I saw the stage entirely as a place to execute the choreography I was given, simply as a player. But I came to understand that a performance is not completed by dance alone. It is brought to the stage through the collaboration of countless elements and many people involved."
For the 47-year-old choreographer, creating a work has become a profound process of self-discovery. "It's a time when I'm completely alone. It's ultimately a one-on-one encounter with myself, and an opportunity to study and understand myself more deeply," he explained. "Even after 10 years, each project feels as difficult as the first. I've only grown somewhat accustomed to the challenge."
Despite the ongoing challenges, Lee finds deep satisfaction in his work: "The happiest moments for me are when the dancers become fully immersed in a piece, moving as one and truly loving the work. When that energy reaches the audience and the piece resonates with them, it is deeply rewarding."
Lee credits much of his artistic inspiration to his wife, choreographer Jang Hye-rim, who leads her own company, 99 Art Company. Her influence has been particularly important in deepening his attention to Korean tradition and aesthetics. "Her choreography process is almost like a prayer. All the dancers immerse themselves fully and share in that experience," Lee observed. "I have learned to value the creative journey, and I want to cultivate that same immersive experience for my dancers."
With "Season; Spring," Lee has begun developing an ambitious seasonal series. Last year, he created "Fall," drawing inspiration from a maple tree bathed in autumn streetlight, and earlier this year, he presented "Whisper" with Jang, inspired by a quiet winter landscape of birch trees. Looking ahead, he is planning a more vibrant piece themed on summer, and if the opportunity arises, he hopes to create a full-hour performance encompassing all four seasons on a single stage.
The "History of KNB Movement Series" runs Friday through Sunday at Seoul Arts Center's Jayu Theater, offering audiences a comprehensive look at a decade of choreographic innovation and artistic growth within South Korea's premier ballet company.
