Korea National Ballet Marks 50th Anniversity in 2012

The Korea National Ballet will open this year's first season with the romantic ballet "Giselle", which led to sold-out performances last year.
It's a perfect combination of graceful movements with athletic strength.

[Reporter : Park Ji-won
[email protected]] "To pull off the perfect stage, ballet dancers go through daily sessions of practice".

The national ballet company members are rehearsing the first act of "Giselle".
This is one of the many repertories that the national ballet company presents annually, but this year's opening stage is bringing more attention to the company than usual, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of its creation.

[Interview : Choi Tai-ji, Artistic Director Korea National Ballet] "The Korean National Ballet was founded in 1962, and the ballet company has been loved for decades. Now many requests are made from foreign countries, asking us to perform, and I am very happy and grateful. Dancers and staff members of the company have made this achievement possible".

For the past 50 years, the Korea National Ballet has been representing Korea's ballet history.
The company has produced many internationally-acclaimed principal dancers, including Kim Joo-won and Kim Ji-young.

[Interview : Kim Joo-won, Principal Dancer Korea National Ballet] "I am very honored to be dancing as a principal dancer, when the company celebrates its 50th anniversary. I have been dancing for the past 15 years. If it hadn't danced for the company, I couldn't have received prestigious prizes like the Benois de la Danse".

While the Korea National Ballet holds around 130 performances each year, it has also been running its ballet academy for about 20 years, to nurture and discover new talents.
Lee Eun-won, now one of the principal ballerinas of the company, took her first ballet steps at the academy.

[Interview : Lee Eun-won, Principal Dancer Korea National Ballet] "I was captivated with ballet, when I first saw the Nutcracker presented by the Korea National Ballet. I got my first ballet lessons from the Korea National Ballet Academy, and I joined the company as an intern member in 2010".

Currently, there are about 60 members working on their respectives roles to bring the best to the stage.

[Interview : Lee Jae-woo, Principal Dancer Korea National Ballet] "I hope many people come and see our performances. That would mean a great deal for the company members.

The 50th anniversary season of the Korea National Ballet begins with "Giselle" in March, followed by "Spartacus" in April.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.