'Heo Nanseolheon’s Poems in Ballet' National Ballet Company’s 'Heo Nanseolheon - Suwol Gyeonghwa' Performance

National Ballet Soloist Kang Hyo-hyung Choreographs... From the 21st to 23rd at Seoul Arts Center CJ Towol Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The National Ballet Company will perform the soloist Kang Hyohyeong's choreography "Heo Nanseolheon - Suwol Gyeonghwa (水月鏡花)" at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center from the 21st to the 23rd.

"Heo Nanseolheon - Suwol Gyeonghwa (水月鏡花)" is a ballet work that visualizes the poems of Heo Nanseolheon (1563?1589), a genius female poet of the mid-Joseon period, and it premiered in early 2017. Heo Nanseolheon was a genius female poet who, in the mid-Joseon era when it was difficult for women to be recognized for their talents, expressed her beliefs through outstanding writing skills and received high praise from contemporary literati.

Kang Hyohyeong embodied various motifs such as leaves, birds, orchids, the sea, and lotus flowers, which appear in Heo Nanseolheon's poems "Gamu (感遇)" and "Mongyu Gwangsangsan (夢遊廣桑山)," through the dancers' movements, delicately expressing Heo Nanseolheon's life and her beautiful and precious poetry on stage. National Ballet Company principal dancer Park Seulgi and poet Shin Seungwon will perform the role of Heo Nanseolheon, showcasing strong and beautiful dances.

Suwol Gyeonghwa (水月鏡花) is an idiom meaning "the moon reflected in water, the flower reflected in a mirror," signifying something visible but untouchable. Kang Hyohyeong chose Suwol Gyeonghwa as the subtitle of the work to convey the meaning that "the sentiment of Heo Nanseolheon's poetry is so excellent that it cannot be fully expressed."

Kang Hyohyeong stated, "The most important aspect was to create a new feeling by incorporating Korean beauty into ballet," adding, "Although Korean motifs are used, we aimed to create a work that captivates all audiences, regardless of East or West, with our unique beauty."

Among the scenes in "Heo Nanseolheon - Suwol Gyeonghwa," the "Orchid" and "Sea" scenes feature dynamic and intense corps de ballet performances. The orchid scene depicts female dancers as if writing in front of a folding screen, while the sea scene was choreographed inspired by the waves of the sea in front of Heo Nanseolheon's hometown, Gangneung. The choreography of the "Lotus Flower," combined with melancholic music, metaphorically expresses the tragic life of Heo Nanseolheon, who passed away at the young age of twenty-seven, as a withering flower.

The biggest difference from the 2017 premiere is that the audience can enjoy live traditional Korean music along with the dancers' performances. This performance features geomungo player Kim Junyoung as the music director. Kim Junyoung will also perform, playing pieces such as "Chunseol," "Hamadan," and "Chimhyangmu" by the late gayageum master Hwang Byeonggi. Additionally, he will perform his own composition "Mal-eopsi Goi?!" using a bamboo stick called "Suldae," a playing technique likened to brush strokes.

"Heo Nanseolheon - Suwol Gyeonghwa (水月鏡花)" became the National Ballet Company's first Latin American performance work when it was staged at the Teatro Mayor in Bogot?, Colombia, in June of the same year after its 2017 premiere. It was subsequently invited to perform in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, in September, spreading the beauty of Korea to the world.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.