Mystical ballet dancers, akin to a demonic boy band, had already enchanted audiences
In the world of contemporary ballet, the Yunbyul Ballet Company in Korea is making waves with their groundbreaking production, "Gat." This 70-minute ballet, inspired by traditional Korean hats, seamlessly combines elements of Korean heritage with modern ballet aesthetics, challenging the notion that ballet is boring or inaccessible.
The brainchild of choreographer Park So-yun and company founder Yun Byul, "Gat" first premiered in 2021 and has since embarked on a successful six-city national tour, selling out every seat along the way. The production's unique fusion of traditional Korean culture and contemporary dance has resonated deeply with audiences, marking a significant moment in Korean ballet.
One of the key factors contributing to "Gat's" popularity is its innovative storytelling, which emphasizes the cultural symbolism of the "gat" (Korean hat) and modern expression through ballet. Historically, gat refers to a wide range of hat styles worn according to one's social class, profession, or a particular occasion. In "Gat," Park selected hats with vivid imagery, including a red jurip for a gender-swapped female general, a satgat for a lone wanderer, and a paeraengi for traveling merchants.
The production's success has not gone unnoticed. Following the global success of Netflix's animated film "KPop Demon Hunters," social media users began comparing the film's fictional boy band, the Saja Boys, to the five ballerinos in "Gat." The playful curtain call of the ballerinos, which echoed the demon boy band’s signature poses, sparked viral interest on Instagram, amassing nearly 2 million views and extending the ballet’s reach beyond traditional audiences.
First-time balletgoers have provided some of the most rewarding feedback for Park. The duo's shared goal, captured in the company's motto, "It's not how much you see. It's how deeply you see," seems to be resonating with audiences.
Yun, who views running a company as a game, with every decision impacting the final outcome, and Park, who encourages audiences to imagine their own stories, rather than seeking one "correct" interpretation, are focusing on shaping the identity and brand of their company. Their efforts are paying off, as "Gat" continues to challenge perceptions and captivate audiences with its unique blend of tradition and modernity.
With a full "Gat" tour planned for next year, it seems that the future is bright for the Yunbyul Ballet Company and their revolutionary ballet production. The jeongjagwan segment, featuring three male dancers swaggering across the stage with long pipes, promises to be a highlight, as does Park's return to the stage as both dancer and choreographer in "Developpe," a ballet gala, on Aug. 2 at Guro Arts Valley.
- The fusion of traditional Korean culture and modern dance in "Gat" has extended its reach beyond traditional audiences, garnering viral interest on Instagram and amassing nearly 2 million views.
- The unique storytelling and cultural symbolism in "Gat" have resonated deeply with audiences, marking a significant moment in Korean ballet.
- The Yunbyul Ballet Company's motto, "It's not how much you see. It's how deeply you see," seems to be resonating with audiences, particularly first-time balletgoers.
- In addition to the planned full "Gat" tour next year, Yunbyul Ballet Company's artists will perform in "Developpe," a ballet gala, on Aug. 2 at Guro Arts Valley.
- As both dancer and choreographer in "Developpe," Park So-yun will continue to challenge perceptions and captivate audiences with her unique blend of tradition and modernity, much like she did with "Gat" in the fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, social-media, entertainment, pop-culture, sci-fi-and-fantasy, and home-and-garden worlds.
