'4th Term' Kang Sujin, Director of National Ballet Company, "Will Create K-Ballet Soaring Globally"

First National Arts Organization Head to Serve Four Consecutive Terms
Initially Planned to Return to Germany but Accepted Reappointment Out of Affection for Ballet Company
'Pirates' Overseas Performances and Collaboration with Neumeier Planned
National Arts Organization Heads Should Decide 1-2 Years in Advance Like Abroad for Development

"We will become the National Ballet that breathes with the people through K-Ballet and soars to the world"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kang Sujin, the director of the National Ballet who became the first head of a national arts organization to succeed in a 'fourth consecutive term,' expressed her aspirations at a press conference held on the 5th at the National Arts Organization N Studio in the Seoul Arts Center, Seocho-gu, Seoul. She said, "Every time I started a term, I always thought it would be the last," adding, "I was very exhausted, but I resolved to gather strength once again."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Kang's reappointment earlier that morning. The ministry stated that Kang was reappointed as the right person to lead new challenges for developing the National Ballet into a world-class ballet company and globalizing K-Ballet.

Kang emphasized, "A leader cannot succeed by their own strength alone. I think of myself not only as someone in front but also as someone who supports from behind, and that has not changed," adding, "I want to create Korean ballet, K-Ballet, that soars to the world."

Originally, she had expressed her intention to return to Germany after her third term, but it is known that she changed her decision at the last moment. Regarding this, Kang said, "I have a lot of affection and love for the ballet company, so I decided to gather strength once again," and expressed gratitude, saying, "The energy I received from the dancers made it possible for me to do so."

Along with her fourth term, Kang identified the 'securing of an independent repertoire' as the top priority for the National Ballet. Accordingly, a tour of the ballet "The Pirates," the National Ballet's own repertoire, is being planned across seven countries in Europe and North America. This work, which was well-received at its premiere in early 2020, is based on the dramatic poem by British poet Byron and was newly choreographed by National Ballet dancer Song Jungbin. Following an invitation to the Wiesbaden State Theater Festival in Germany in May, performances are planned in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, and North America through 2025. Kang added, "The invitation to Wiesbaden is very meaningful because the festival organizers invited the National Ballet after watching a video of 'The Pirates' performance and covered all expenses."

She is also working to secure performance rights from John Neumeier (84), regarded as one of the world's top choreographers. Neumeier, an American-born contemporary dancer and choreographer, is known for his strict condition of casting roles only after being inspired by the dancers. He is scheduled to visit Korea in August to discuss collaboration with the National Ballet. This project is another endeavor Kang has been diligently pursuing for a long time.

She also plans to continue social contribution programs where current or former members of the National Ballet provide guidance to youth from culturally and artistically underprivileged regions and groups.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Although she is the first to succeed in a fourth consecutive term as head of a national arts organization, Kang also expressed some regrets about the appointment process. She explained, "In overseas ballet companies, the next director and performance programs are decided years in advance," adding, "Even now, dancers and staff are working breathlessly every year preparing the next year's program, but if the National Ballet director were appointed earlier, there would be time to reduce trial and error and prepare better repertoires."

Repeatedly mentioning that "the weight on my shoulders is heavy," Kang stated, "I will continue to strive without stopping for the sustainable development of the ballet company, bearing the weight of responsibility," and added, "I will plan and prepare for the next 100 years of the ballet company, which surpassed its 60th anniversary last year."

Kang Sujin first gained public recognition by joining the Stuttgart Ballet in Germany in 1986 at the age of 19 as the youngest member. In 1999, she was recognized for her talent by becoming the first Asian to win the Benois de la Danse, known as the Oscar of the dance world. After serving as principal dancer of the Stuttgart Ballet, she was appointed as the 7th director of the National Ballet in 2014 and succeeded in her fourth consecutive term following 2017 and 2020.

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