Seoul Metropolitan Ballet's reimagining of Shakespeare celebrates the power of love

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet announced its launch in February. As the international ballet scene has been seeing a shift from classical to contemporary forms of the genre, it was time for Korea to follow suit as well.

The cast and crew for the upcoming ballet performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" pose during a press conference at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Monday. From left: dancer Liang Shih-huai, choreographer Joo Jae-man, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts CEO Ahn Ho-sang and dancers Won Jin-ho and Lee Seung-yong [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

For many years, Korea had two public ballet troupes: the Korean National Ballet and the Gwangju City Ballet. For the third, the government decided that it needed a departure from classical ballet.

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, which specializes in the contemporary style, announced its launch in February. As the international ballet scene has been seeing a shift from classical to contemporary forms of the genre, it was time for Korea to follow suit as well.

And it will finally hold its inaugural performance from Aug. 23 to 25 at the Sejong Grand Theater in Jongno District, central Seoul, with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s 16th century classic “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The piece was directed and choreographed by Joo Jae-man, who has produced works for both American and Korean ballet troupes like the Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York, the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, the Wise Ballet Theater and the Gwangju City Ballet.

Joo’s reinterpretation of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” follows Puck the fairy and his search for love. While in the Shakespearean original, Puck was depicted as mischievous, Joo transformed him into a wise character who understands the essence of true love.

Poster for ″A Midsummer Night's Dream,″ the inaugural contemporary ballet performance by the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

The updated Puck is based on Joo’s own lifelong experiences with losing and finding love, which he describes as the “strongest force in the world today.”

“I’ve made many mistakes in life and learned from them, so Puck represents a character that exists far into the future, who has a pure heart and knows love that is unsullied,” Joo said during a press conference at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul on Monday.

Poster for ″A Midsummer Night's Dream,″ the inaugural contemporary ballet performance by the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

Joo decided that the works of German composer Robert Schumann were perfect for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The composer himself was an icon of love, heartbreak and tragedy. Joo went through thousands of Schumann pieces, arranging them according to each scene.

American composer and pianist Philip Daniel produced two more works, which he will perform live.

The role of Puck will be played by Taiwanese dancer Liang Shih-huai and Lee Seung-yong. Liang has been performing in Korea for 17 years and is a guest soloist for the Universal Ballet. Lee is a soloist for the Ballet Company of the Slovak National Theatre, and it is his first time performing in Korea in eight years.

For three runs, the show will be filled with fantastical elements and dreamlike scenarios. Joo was especially thrilled that he was able to manifest his imagination on the stage, which he calls the power of what makes the performing arts “so charming.”

“It’s like when you lose yourself in a really good movie or artwork, and for that moment, you forget even where you are sitting,” he said. “It was so exciting to produce the set, music, lighting and dance and have them properly portray the scenes running through my mind.”

Poster for the double bill of "Kammerballet" by Hans ven Manen and "Ritardscendo" by Cha Jin-yeob by the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet, slated for October [SEJONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS]

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet has not yet appointed an artistic director, and will take about a year to find someone who shares the same interests and goals, according to the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts’ CEO Ahn Ho-sang.

In the meantime, from Oct. 9 to 12, there will be double bills of “Kammerballet” by Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen and “Ritardscendo” by Korean choreographer Cha Jin-yeob at the Sejong M Theater.

The Seoul Metropolitan Ballet is also recruiting dancers for its troupe for the 2024-26 season. Submissions begin on Wednesday and are accepted through Aug. 12. Any ballet dancer aged 18 or older is eligible to enter.

Tickets for all shows are available by calling (02) 399-1000. Shows for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” begin at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 23 and 3 p.m. for Aug. 24 and 25 and run for 100 minutes. Admission ranges from 20,000 won ($14) to 80,000 won.

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