Let's turn to our arts and culture segment for the day.
Good afternoon, Yoonhee.
Good afternoon, Conn-young.
What do you have for us today?
Today we'll be looking at a ballet performance, it's the star of the show that is really taking
the spotlight.
As you may know, Kang Sue-jin is a revered Korean ballerina who has really put Korea
on the international map in terms of ballet.
Some argue that she is the top dancer in Korea, with the most accomplishments.
She's been on stages all over the world.
Right, she was a principal dancer with Germany's Stuttgart Ballet for almost 30 years and recently
she's taken on a new role as the director of the Korean National Ballet.
And now, she's set to perform in a ballet version of "Madame Butterfly."
Let's take a look.
[VIDEO IN]
"Madame Butterfly" is known to most as an opera by Puccini,... but it's now been translated
into a ballet, featuring the star Korean prima ballerina...
Kang Sue-jin . She'll be backed by the Innsbruck Dance Company
of Austria,... a combination that has proven to be extremely successful in past productions.
Kang recently returned to her homeland after nearly 30 years dancing abroad... to lead
the Korean National Ballet as director.
"First of all, as leader of the Korean National Ballet I have to make sure my team and I don't
get injured.
The remaining time and energy goes toward preparing this show."
"Madame Butterfly" the ballet... premiered with the Innsbruck Dance Company in Austria
last year.
Even though it's being presented as a ballet, it still features the same tragic story.
Kang's dedication to her character ChoCho results in a mesmerizing masterpiece... that
reflects her dancing skills, and her passion for love interest Pinkerton is shown through
the choreography alongside the beautiful music.
The 46-year-old is Korea's oldest active ballerina.
"Ever since I was young, I've always been sure that I was going to quit before I lost
control over my body.
I have too much respect for myself and for ballet.
It's important I leave when I do."
Kang is expected to lead the reputable Korean National Ballet through the coming season
with her usual grace, but first, her attention is focused on the current production in "Madame
Butterfly."
[VIDEO OUT]
[STUDIO] "Madame Butterfly" is usually performed as
an opera.
But obviously someone had to translate it into a ballet.
Who choreographed the ballet?
It's very interesting.
The production was actually created for Kang Sue-jin.
The artistic director of the Innsbruck Dance Company choreographed the work for Kang as
Madame Butterfly, so it's a very special production for her.
What strengths does she see in the Korean National Ballet?
Korean dancers are known for their strong technique, and they're exceptionally good
at classical dance.
She's praised the company for this, and she's not the only one to say it.
I'm sure Kang's decades of experience dancing with top European companies will lend a hand
in raising the level of the Korean National Ballet.
And Kang herself has many awards and accomplishments backing her reputation as well.
That's right.
She was the youngest and first Asian dancer in the Stuttgart Company and she's also been
bestowed by the German government as a Royal Court Dancer.
This is the highest national honor to be given to a dancer in that country.
That was in 2007, and since then she's gone on to earn many more awards and recognitions.
So obviously she has impressed many people all over the world, and continues to do so.
She's set to perform "Madame Butterfly" for only a few days though.
Will she stop performing and focus on her role as director?
She was actually slated to perform "Madame Butterfly" with the Innsbruck Dance Company
until 2016, but after accepting this offer, she canceled all her abroad performances,
and just kept the performances to be done in Korea.
"Madame Butterfly" is one of those performances and another performance will be "Onegin,"
with the Stuttgart Ballet in 2015.
And finally in 2016, she's planning a special performance commemorating her retirement.
Other than that she'll be focusing her attention on her role as director of the Korean National
Ballet
And that'll be for a three year term.
We'll have to keep an eye out on the Korean National Ballet.
There will be many expectations there.
What are they planning for the rest of this year?
They just closed up "Don Quixote," which is part of their repertoire, and October they'll
be putting on "The Seventh Symphony: The Rite of Spring" which is also part of their program.
And I assume they'll be also performing "The Nutcracker" this year?
Right we have that to look forward to as well.
Always a favorite with the public.
She has said repeatedly that she wants to try new things with the Korean National Ballet,
so maybe we'll see a new twist to a timeless classic
Thank you for that report, Yoonhee.
You're welcome.