Paris Opera Ballet gala curated by étoile Park Sae-eun to begin Saturday at Seoul Arts Center

The Paris Opera Ballet, one of the world’s most renowned ballet companies, is visiting Korea to put on a gala at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho District, southern Seoul, from Saturday to Wednesday.

Etoiles of the Paris Opera Ballet, from left: Valentine Colasante, Park Sae-eun and Paul Marque pose for photos during a press conference for the ballet company's upcoming gala at the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul on Wednesday. [SONGGYUNSHIN]

The Paris Opera Ballet, one of the world’s most renowned ballet companies, is visiting Korea to put on a gala at the Seoul Arts Center’s Opera Theater in Seocho District, southern Seoul, from Saturday to Wednesday.

The show stars none other than Park Sae-eun, the Paris Opera Ballet’s first Asian étoile, meaning the highest ranking dancer.

The Paris Opera Ballet last held a gala in the country in 2022 at the Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul. This time, Park took the helm of casting and organizing the programs.

Park will perform alongside nine more dancers of the étoile, premier danseur and sujet ranks.

“My absolute favorite venue to perform at in Korea is the Seoul Arts Center,” she said during a press conference on Wednesday. Park was so excited that she specially selected 18 repertoires for the four performances (there is no show on Monday) and divided them by nine pieces into two programs, with each to be performed twice.

It wasn’t easy, because having more repertoires meant that it took “three times” the effort to prepare for the gala. “Copyright is expensive,” she said, “but it will be all worth it if it means that I can perform all the pieces I’ve loved for the past 13 years since joining the Paris Opera Ballet.”

It has only been 18 months since Park gave birth to her daughter, which would have gone unnoticed if no one had asked her about her pregnancy journey and the impact it has had on her dancing career. In fact, she promptly — and successfully — returned to the stage just six months after giving birth.

“I sometimes forget that I was ever pregnant, and when I look at my daughter, I think, ‘Where did you come from?’” Park said, laughing. Despite the initial worries that motherhood may delay her comeback, her muscularity aided in her speedy recovery.

Fellow étoiles, Valentine Colasante and Paul Marque, who were present at the press conference as well, didn’t hide their respect and admiration for Park.

“It’s astounding how she curated the repertoires to allow each dancer to show off their talent,” Colasante said. “This show is perfect for presenting the Paris Opera Ballet’s artistic versatility and its strong identity.”

“The gala is definitely about beauty that cannot be put into words; you just have to see for yourself,” Park said. “For those wondering which program to watch, go for both.”

Performances for “Ballet Gala of Étoiles in Paris 2024” begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets range from 30,000 won ($21) to 280,000 won. For more information, call the Seoul Arts Center at (02) 554-4166.

BY SHIN MIN-HEE [shin.minhee@joongang.co.kr]