Kim Kimin Performs 'Bolero' on a Red Table... Ballet Béjart Returns to Seoul After 25 Years

A dancer stands tall atop a striking, deep red circular table measuring 4.65 meters in diameter. This is Kim Kimin, principal dancer of the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world's premier ballet companies. He is a globally acclaimed dancer and the only Korean male dancer ever to receive the Best Male Dancer award at the Benois de la Danse—often called the Oscars of dance—in 2016.

As the music of "Bolero" by French composer Maurice Ravel begins to play, Kim Kimin stretches out his right arm, tracing a large circle like the Vitruvian Man from Leonardo da Vinci’s study of human proportions. He bends his wrist at a 90-degree angle, and a spotlight relentlessly follows that motion. While Kim Kimin’s body fades into the darkness, his wrist, starkly white and pivoted at a sharp angle, moves with an oddly sensual allure.

This is the striking opening scene of Kim Kimin’s open rehearsal for "Bolero," held on the 22nd at the GS Art Center. From April 23 to 26, Kim Kimin will participate as a guest dancer in Ballet Béjart's first Seoul performance in 25 years, held at the GS Art Center. In "Bolero," the company’s signature piece, he takes on the lead role of "La Mélodie." The work highlights the tense relationship between La Mélodie, positioned atop the table, and 38 dancers beneath it.

Kim Kimin is dancing at the open rehearsal of 'Bolero' held at GS Art Center on the 22nd. In Arts Production

Ravel’s "Bolero" is an experimental piece, with nearly identical melodies and rhythms repeating for close to 20 minutes. While the melody remains the same, the instruments playing it constantly change, and the volume gradually increases, creating a languid yet dreamlike atmosphere.

Just as the music builds, Kim Kimin’s movements grow bigger. At first, he mainly uses his arms, but later he leaps across the table, using his whole body to display explosive energy. Just as the snare drum’s rhythm persists throughout "Bolero," Kim Kimin uses his lower body from start to finish, creating a continuous, bouncing rhythm that resonates through his entire form.

Ballet Béjart was founded by French choreographer Maurice Béjart (1927–2007), known as a "revolutionary of modern ballet." In 1960, he established the Ballet of the 20th Century in Brussels, Belgium, and in 1987, he re-founded the company in Lausanne, Switzerland, as Ballet Béjart.

At a press conference held before the open rehearsal, Kim Kimin described "Bolero" as a "dream work" for him. He said, "It is an immense honor for me to dance as a guest in Ballet Béjart, so I am very nervous. But I think that nervousness means I can give a great performance, so I feel good."

Prior to the Seoul engagement, he rehearsed several times in Lausanne, Switzerland. "I think I practiced about three hours a day. I’ve never practiced three hours a day for a 15-minute performance before. For such long rehearsals, I didn’t even drink water or go to the restroom. I think those moments during rehearsal were the happiest I’ve ever been."

Kim Kimin added, "Bolero is a piece I dreamed of with my mentor, Vladimir Kim, and he was the one who recommended it to me. I am grateful for the opportunity to perform with Ballet Béjart."

Ballet Béjart consists of about 40 dancers. Among them, Min-Kyung Lee is the only Korean dancer in the company, having joined in 2020. She named "Bolero" as the most captivating work in the company’s repertoire. "During my six years with Ballet Béjart, I think I’ve seen 'Bolero' more than a hundred times. It’s the only piece that moves my heart every time I watch it—it's that powerful. If you want to discover what Ballet Béjart is about, I recommend seeing 'Bolero' interpreted by different dancers multiple times."

Dancers Oscar Eduardo Chacon, Kim Gimin, Artistic Director Julien Favreau, dancers Solene Beurel, and Min-Kyung Lee (from left) of the Béjart Ballet pose for a commemorative photo after a press conference at GS Art Center on the 22nd. Photo by InArts Production

Kim Kimin will appear as La Mélodie in the "Bolero" performances on April 23 and 25. In the performances on April 24 and 26, a female dancer will take on the role of La Mélodie. Julien Favreau, who joined Ballet Béjart in 1995 and has served as artistic director since 2024, explained that Maurice Béjart originally conceived this work as a unisex piece. "Aside from one or two steps, the choreography for the male and female versions is almost identical. However, the atmosphere can change significantly depending on whether the lead dancer is male or female. When a female dancer performs La Mélodie, the relationships with the surrounding male dancers can feel more erotic, whereas a male lead brings out intense energy."

"Bolero" was created by Béjart in 1961. In this Korean tour, Ballet Béjart will also present Béjart’s 1970 work "The Firebird" and his 1984 piece "La Luna." "The Firebird" uses music by Igor Stravinsky, while "La Luna" features compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. The company will also perform "Hamlet," choreographed by Valentina Turcu of Croatia and premiered in early 2024, as well as "Bye Bye Baby Blackbird," a 2022 work by Dutch choreographer Joost Vrouenraets.

Min-Kyung Lee appears as "Ophelia" in "Hamlet." She said, "As a member of Ballet Béjart, performing in Korea for the first time is both moving and an honor. The choreography may seem unfamiliar to Korean audiences accustomed to classical ballet, but if you approach it with an open mind and consider the meanings behind the movements, it becomes even more intriguing and enjoyable."

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