The Korean National Ballet, alongside fellow world-class dancers from American Ballet Theater and The Washington Ballet, headlined a major performance event at The Kennedy Center hosted by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. on July 10, 2024. The spectacular show case of ballet elegance and Korea-US cultural exchange featured original performances and rare collaborations that thrilled a packed house of more than 1,100 special guests and members of the public in Washington, D.C. 

This special event presented a curated selection of timeless classics and captivating contemporary works from the global ballet repertoire and feature esteemed principal dancers Hee Seo and Cory Stearns of the American Ballet Theatre and Eun Won Lee and Ariel Martinez of The Washington Ballet as special guests, symbolizing the enduring cultural bonds between two nations. 

Each ensemble presented original and classical dance compositions, reflecting their distinctive styles and creative inspirations through a narrative of movement and personal reflection. The Korean National Ballet showcased the essence of classical ballet with performances of iconic works such as “Swan Lake” and “Le Corsaire,” alongside original ballet productions that draw inspiration from Korean culture. Eun Won Lee unveiled a compelling ballet piece entitled “Finding Light,” choreographed by the renowned Edwaard Liang, artistic director of The Washington Ballet. Meanwhile, Hee Seo captivated audiences with a performance of the Pas de Deux from “The Seasons: Summer,” choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky. This unique gala performance offered a rare glimpse into the trends and techniques of Korean and American ballet, fostering a platform for cultural and artistic exchange between the two nations through the medium of dance.

See the original event announcement for more background information.