Three generations of Korean ballet dancers will come together this week for a unique collaboration that showcases the evolution of Korea's presence on the world's ballet stages. Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's season finale, "Hans van Manen & Hue Young-soon," runs from October 30 to November 2 at Sejong Center's M Theater, featuring dancers not just as performers, but as choreographer, stager, and artist representing different eras of Korean ballet excellence.
The production brings together pioneering ballerina-turned-choreographer Hue Young-soon, former Dutch National Ballet principal Kim Ji-young, and current Dresden Semperoper Ballet principal Kang Hyo-jung. Together, they embody Korea's evolving journey from early pioneers to contemporary international stars. The double bill pairs Dutch master Hans van Manen's "Kammerballet" with Hue's contemporary work "Under the Trees Voices."
Hue Young-soon represents the first generation of Korean dancers who ventured abroad to establish their careers on international stages. In 1980, while still a student at Sunhwa Arts School, she left for Monaco's Ballet Academy alongside Kim In-hee and Julia H. Moon, the latter of whom would later lead Universal Ballet, one of Korea's major ballet companies. Hue remained in Europe, drawn to the world of contemporary ballet, and joined Frankfurt Ballet in 1984 before becoming a soloist at Zurich and Basel Ballets and eventually a principal dancer and ballet master with Dusseldorf Ballet.
"Back then, there were so few of us," Hue recalled in a recent group interview. "Aside from myself, the only other Korean dancer in Europe was Kang Sue-jin, who joined Stuttgart Ballet a couple of years after me. It was a lonely time." She now serves as rehearsal director at Dresden Semperoper Ballet and has created more than 50 works for major ballet companies since beginning her choreographic career in 2001 in Dusseldorf.
"Under the Trees Voices," a lyrical piece set to music by the late Italian composer Ezio Bosso, will make its Korean premiere after debuting with Ballet Augsburg last year. "I wanted to honor Bosso, whose music inspired me deeply. I've reworked parts of it to reflect the SMB dancers' individuality and energy," Hue explained. "Every time I come home to choreograph, my heart races faster. I want to give the audience in Korea something more meaningful."
Representing the second generation is Kim Ji-young, 47, a former principal dancer with Dutch National Ballet who now serves as stager for van Manen's "Kammerballet." Kim joined the Korean National Ballet at 19, quickly rising to principal dancer and becoming one of the key figures in what many consider the renaissance of Korean ballet. From 2002 to 2009, she danced as principal at Dutch National Ballet before returning to Korean National Ballet.
"Many of us in the 1990s went abroad to study. That exposure broadened our perspectives and helped us see Korean ballet more objectively. The passion and skill of Korean dancers have truly driven the art form's growth," Kim said. Having danced in several van Manen works during her Dutch tenure, she performed "Kammerballet" in 2007 and now passes the work on to a new generation of dancers in Korea.
Kim emphasized the significance of this production's continuity: "It's often difficult to sustain the legacy of licensed productions beyond a single run. That's why this opportunity feels especially meaningful. It allows us to continue the lineage of the work and keep its spirit alive."
The youngest member of the trio, Kang Hyo-jung, represents the third wave of Korean dancers making their mark on international stages. A principal with Dresden Semperoper Ballet, she joins Seoul Metropolitan Ballet as a guest artist for "Under the Trees Voices." Kang joined Stuttgart Ballet in 2004 and rose to principal in 2011, becoming the second Korean to achieve this position after Kang Sue-jin. After a decade in Stuttgart, she moved to Vienna State Ballet in 2021, and this season returns to Germany to begin a new chapter with Dresden's Semperoper Ballet while pursuing graduate studies at Palucca University of Dance.
"I've always loved learning new things," Kang explained. "Leaving Stuttgart was a risk, but I wanted to challenge myself again. Vienna gave me fresh perspectives, and now I'm back in Germany with renewed purpose." In "Under the Trees Voices," Kang will perform the role of Alba Parietti, a central figure who inspired composer Bosso, marking her first contemporary ballet performance in Korea.
The production represents a significant milestone for Korean ballet, showcasing how the art form has evolved through three distinct generations. "Classical ballet has its structure and discipline," Kang noted, "but contemporary ballet allows for more human, expressive movement. Balancing both gives me energy and depth as a dancer." The collaboration demonstrates not only the international success of Korean ballet artists but also their commitment to nurturing the next generation and bringing world-class productions to Korean audiences.
