Korea JoongAng Daily - Daily News from Korea

This article is by Sarah Chea and read by an artificial voice.

Korea predicts that even if Iran imposes a transit fee on the Strait of Hormuz, the effect on domestic fuel prices will likely remain marginal at around 0.5 percent, or under 1 percent at most.

"Crude oil is currently trading at around $90 to $100 per barrel. Should a transit toll be levied, prices might rise to roughly $101 per barrel — a one percent increase," said Yang Ki-wook, Director-General of the Office of Industry, Trade and Resource Security at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, during a Thursday press briefing.

"Considering that roughly half of domestic gasoline prices are composed of taxes, a one percent uptick in crude prices could translate to only a 0.5 percent increase at the pump," he added, noting that even accounting for additional factors, the overall effect would likely remain near 1 percent.

However, Yang cautioned that both the likelihood of the toll being imposed and the specific terms of any such levy remain uncertain.

"It still remains uncertain whether Iran will actually levy such fees, how the international community would respond, or whether any payment request would be directed at Korea," he added.

Korea has also opted to keep its fuel price caps — 1,934 won per liter ($4.94 per gallon) for gasoline, 1,923 won per liter for diesel and 1,530 won per liter for kerosene — at the levels set two weeks earlier, as domestic prices for petroleum products, including diesel, continue their uphill march.

Set to take effect at 12 a.m. on Friday, the third round of price ceilings will last for two weeks.

"The prices of international petroleum products rose over the past two weeks, but plunged sharply following the April 8 cease-fire announcement, significantly amplifying volatility," said Yang, adding that diesel prices in particular have surged by more than 15 percent.

"But we decided to hold the ceiling unchanged this time, considering its proximity to everyday living costs," Yang added. "Diesel, in particular, is widely used by livelihood-dependent groups, including truck drivers, delivery workers, farmers and fishermen."

The cap applies specifically to wholesale prices from refineries, and gas station operators could adjust prices based on supply prices.

Dubai crude, which had settled at $121.86 a barrel on April 7, tumbled by nearly 17 percent in a single session to close at $101.20 on April 8, after news of the two-week cease-fire.

The reprieve, however, proved fleeting, with prices rebounding on April 9 by around 2 percent.

In fact, the average price of diesel in Seoul had climbed to 2,005.56 won per liter as of 4 p.m. Thursday, up 10.86 won from the previous day, while the highest-priced station posted a rate of 2,480 won, according to Opinet, the state-run fuel price information system.

It marks the first time in three years and eight months that the city's average diesel price has breached the 2,000-won threshold since Aug. 4, 2022, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The nationwide average diesel price rose 8.18 won to 1,977.76 won per liter.

Retail fuel prices in Korea typically reflect shifts in global crude markets with a lag of two to three weeks, suggesting that the upward trajectory could persist for the time being.

Seoul's average gasoline price, which had already surpassed the 2,000-won mark per liter on April 7, was tallied at 2,021,59 won, up 8.20 won from a day earlier. The nationwide average stood at 1,984.89 won per liter.

"The third-round price freeze is estimated to exert a suppressive effect of roughly 300 won per liter for diesel, 100 won for kerosene and 20 won for gasoline," Yang said.

The government is also working to secure alternative crude supplies for July.

It has already procured 50 million barrels of crude for April and 60 million barrels for May through routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz — equivalent to roughly 60 percent and 70 percent, respectively, of the typical monthly import vo...

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice.

The World Heritage Committee is the primary decision-making body on matters related to the World Heritage Convention, overseeing the inscription, conservation and protection of World Heritage sites. The annual event is attended by the Unesco Director-General and delegations from the convention's 196 States Parties.

The 11-day event will take place at Busan's Bexco convention hall from July 19 to 29.

Korea hopes the global gathering will help expand domestic and international networks to support the inscription of the Sites of the Busan Wartime Capital on Unesco's World Heritage list. The nomination comprises 11 key sites in Busan from the Korean War (1950-1953).

As the nation's second-largest city after Seoul and far south from it, Busan served as the country's temporary capital during the wartime evacuation, maintaining government functions, facilitating international cooperation and accommodating displaced civilians. The 11 sites include the temporary government complex, U.S. Embassy, Ami-dong Tombstone Culture Village and more.

The property was added to Unesco's tentative World Heritage list in 2023, marking Korea's first bid to inscribe a modern heritage site. Busan plans to apply for Unesco's preliminary assessment this year.

During the event, some 100 gatekeepers from Seoul's Gyeongbok Palace will travel to the coastal city to safeguard the conventional hall. A K-Heritage House will also be set up for several exhibitions and hands-on experiences related to Korea's cultural history.

The committee is expected to be attended by some 2,400 visitors from abroad and 600 from home.

Busan's appeal will be on full display during the event. Home to some 3.3 million people, the city has long served as both a tourist destination and a business hub, with a distinctive landscape of coastlines and mountains. As a gateway linking Korea with the rest of the world, Busan has fostered an open urban environment where diverse cultures and people converge, making it a frequent host of major international events. Hosting Asia's largest film festival — Busan International Film Festival — has also added a layer of cultural richness to the city.

Preliminary forums will take place from July 13 including Young Professional Forum and Site Managers' Forum. The Young Professional Forum will bring together some 30 young professionals in the cultural heritage sectors from around the world for discussions, site visits and presentation of the Youth Declaration. The Site Managers' Forum will allow some 100 participants to share experiences of managing and preserving heritage sites in their own countries.

The plenary session will cover agenda items related to conservation, inscription, policy and general review.

Meanwhile, last month, the Korea Heritage Service unveiled the official emblem of the committee inspired by the roof of Unesco-listed Jongmyo Shrine's main hall.

The emblem features a bold horizontal brushstroke that reflects the long roofline of Jongmyo's Jeongjeon Hall, a 101-meter-wide (331-foot-wide) wooden structure from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The emblem takes the shape of a traditional roof, made of the curved clay tiles ubiquitous in Korean architecture.

Earlier this week, music producer Won Il was appointed the creative director for the event, overseeing its opening and closing ceremonies.

This article is by Kang Bo-hyun, Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

Confusion is deepening within the ruling Democratic Party (DP) over a leadership directive that bans the use of past images and videos of President Lee Jae Myung by the party's candidates in campaign materials ahead of the June 3 local government elections.

Lee ordered an internal inspection on Wednesday into claims that the directive had been issued by the Blue House in a Telegram group chat involving 60 senior aides, according to officials familiar with the matter who spoke to the JoongAng Ilbo.

The controversy traces back to a notice sent on Saturday to DP primary candidates, which informed them that they are "strictly prohibited from using past footage of the president in promotional materials to suggest that he is endorsing a specific candidate or from utilizing old photos as if they were taken recently."

The notice was issued under the name of the DP's chief spokesperson, Jo Seoung-lae.

Lee rebuked party leaders during a meeting on Wednesday after a media outlet reported that the notice had been issued "at the request of the Blue House."

"Attributing a misguided directive by party leaders to the Blue House not only constitutes interference in state affairs but also political abuse," he said.

The DP, for its part, explained that the guideline was prompted by cases in which candidates appeared to suggest that they had the president's backing by using past images of Lee.

In one instance, a mayoral primary candidate in Chungju, North Chungcheong, posted a video of Lee's visit to a traditional market in the city three years ago — during which he encouraged the candidate — which party leaders said could be misconstrued as the president's current support.

Due to the growing controversy over the directive, DP leader Jung Chung-rae offered clarification on Tuesday.

"If a congratulatory message delivered to a candidate before Lee became president is mistaken as one that was delivered after he became president, it could cause significant harm to the party," he said.

The president's order for an internal probe has also inflamed tensions between different factions within the party.

"Those responsible for trying to present an order that did not come from the president as his directive must be held accountable," said DP Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-gu in a post on Facebook. Kang is widely considered a member of the anti-Jung faction within the DP.

Another Supreme Council member, Lee Eon-ju, also questioned the origin of the directive.

"Who fabricated and spread such an absurd order if no one actually issued the directive?" she asked in a separate Facebook post.

Senior party figures close to Lee are trying to move the DP and Blue House past the controversy.

"It would be unrealistic to remove images that have already been posted," said Rep. Park Chan-dae, who served as the DP's floor leader while Lee Jae Myung helmed the party, in an interview with CBS Radio on Thursday.

Park, now running in the Incheon mayoral race, added that "while both the party and the Blue House share the goal of ensuring the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration, gaps in communication should be carefully navigated."

Rep. Kim Young-jin echoed that view, noting that candidates in the 2014 and 2018 local elections had seen others freely use images of former President Moon Jae-in, in an interview with MBC Radio that same day.

He suggested the directive's intent "was to prevent excessive misuse, but that its wording — extending broadly to photos and videos — has caused confusion among candidates nationwide."

Jo, for his part, pushed back against criticism in a phone interview with the JoongAng Ilbo.

"This is not a blanket ban on using images or videos of [the president]," he said. "It is meant to prevent materials that could be misinterpreted as showing the sitting president endorsing a particular candidate."

He added that the directive was issued based on the party's own judg...

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

A new girl group is preparing to debut, its label, Blue Brown Records — co-founded by the late singer Wheesung before his death last year — said on Thursday without revealing its name and debut date.

Through a series of teaser clips on its official social media, Blue Brown Records signaled that the upcoming launch of a five-member act, nurtured by creative director Myung Sang-woo, is fast approaching.

Rather than introducing the group outright, the teasers lean on symbolism to illustrate the quintet's envisioned trajectory.

One clip uses a heart-shaped object to symbolize the group's beginning, and another teaser features a boombox in the sand, hinting at its aim to connect with a broader audience. A third teaser shows a passport, potentially signalling the label's goal to bring the group to a global audience.

The agency has confirmed that the group will debut with five members, including Choi Ji-hyun, who participated in JTBC's audition series "R U Next?" (2023), and Yoon Soo-in, who appeared on Mnet's "Unpretty Rapstar" (2015–) and SBS's "Universe Ticket" (2023). Others in the group's lineup include Han Jung-yeon, Lee Da-kyung and Pan Liuin.

The group was formed through the project "Teach Me How," a collaboration involving the live music platform "it's LIVE," through which the members showcased their chemistry and performance skills, according to Blue Brown Records.

However, key details remain undisclosed. The group's official title and debut schedule have not been announced, fueling speculation among fans. The teaser account name, "heart5woman," is also being regarded as a possible clue to the driving concept behind the quintet.

Blue Brown Records said the group aims to represent the next generation of K-pop, building on the musical sensibilities and creative direction established by Wheesung and Myung, and will have a distinct identity rooted in the late singer's artistic vision.

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

A new girl group is preparing to debut, according to its label Blue Brown Records — co-founded by the late singer Wheesung — on Thursday.

Through a series of teaser clips on its official social media, Blue Brown Records signaled that the upcoming launch of a five-member act, nurtured by creative director Myung Sang-woo, is fast approaching. However, the label did not reveal the new group's name or debut date.

Rather than introducing the group outright, the teasers lean on symbolism to illustrate the quintet's envisioned trajectory.

One clip uses a heart-shaped object to symbolize the group's beginning, and another teaser features a boombox in the sand, hinting at its aim to connect with a broader audience. A third teaser shows a passport, potentially signalling the label's goal to bring the group to a global audience.

The agency has confirmed that the group will debut with five members, including Choi Ji-hyun, who participated in JTBC's audition series "R U Next?" (2023), and Yoon Soo-in, who appeared on Mnet's "Unpretty Rapstar" (2015–) and SBS's "Universe Ticket" (2023). Others in the group's lineup include Han Jung-yeon, Lee Da-kyung and Pan Liuin.

The group was formed through the project "Teach Me How," a collaboration involving the live music platform "it's LIVE," through which the members showcased their chemistry and performance skills, according to Blue Brown Records.

However, key details remain undisclosed. The group's official title and debut schedule have not been announced, fueling speculation among fans. The teaser account name, "heart5woman," is also being regarded as a possible clue to the driving concept behind the quintet.

Blue Brown Records said the group aims to represent the next generation of K-pop, building on the musical sensibilities and creative direction established by Wheesung and Myung, and will have a distinct identity rooted in the late singer's artistic vision.

This article is by Michael Lee and read by an artificial voice.

Singer Hwasa is returning with a softer, more introspective sound in her new digital single "So Cute," according to her agency P Nation on Thursday.

The single, due to be released at 6 p.m. Thursday, marks her first release since megahit "Good Goodbye" (2025) six months ago.

Teaser images ahead of the release hint at a shift in tone. In one image, Hwasa appears blank-faced wearing a birthday hat and a white bralette, while in another, she appears to be gazing longingly at viewers with a single, small flower on her cheek.

Based on snippets from the music video teaser, "So Cute" is a light dance-pop track. Hwasa cowrote the lyrics with Psy, the head of her agency, while teaming up again with composer Park Woo-sang for the music.

Hwasa said the song was driven by a desire to return fan support following the success of "Good Goodbye," which became the biggest hit of her solo career. The singer started out as a member of girl group Mamamoo.

"The things that give us strength in our everyday lives are small and trivial forms of cuteness," she said in her agency's press release. "Even if they seem insignificant, they can melt a frozen heart. Happiness isn't anything complicated."

The singer described the track as a departure from her typically intense musical themes, reflecting a growing desire to express quieter, more personal thoughts.

"I think I've only told strong, intense stories so far, and I felt some fatigue from that," she said. "These days, I wanted to talk about my quieter thoughts."

Hwasa contributed to both the lyrics and composition, saying the song originated from a sense of fear that comes with growing older.

"As you age, you come to know more things, but sometimes that brings a childlike fear," she said. "I wanted to express moving forward through that confusion with a small, cute ray of light."

Despite the pressure that might follow a record-setting hit such as "Good Goodbye," Hwasa said she didn't feel pressure.

"A song like that can't be made twice," she said. "I'm grateful I was able to make it. For this next chapter, I'm starting again from zero."

Looking ahead, Hwasa said she hopes the new release, like its title suggests, can offer simple comfort.

"I don't have a specific goal," she said. "I just hope this small, cute song can give strength to many people."

This article is by Jin Eun-soo and read by an artificial voice.

"We have expanded from 10 to 12 programs for foreigners across the spring and fall editions," said Kim Kwang-hee, deputy minister at the Korea Heritage Agency, on Tuesday. Of the six programs eligible for pre-reservation by foreigners in the spring edition, two are new: the "Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance at Jongmyo Shrine" and "The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon."

"Starting this year, we have newly created an English SNS account and located foreign guides on site as well. There are also QR codes in every nook and cranny of the palaces where foreigners can scan and access the English guide of the programs, benefits and more."

K-Royal Culture Festival is a biannual event that invites visitors from home and abroad for traditional performances, hands-on experiences and guided tours across five palaces in Seoul — Gyeongbok, Deoksu, Changdeok, Changyeong and Gyeonghui Palaces — as well as Jongmyo Shrine, all of which are located in central Seoul.

"The day after BTS performed at Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, visitors of Gyeongbok Palace reached 33,000, whereas before it was usually at the 20,000 level. The next Saturday, on March 29, the figure jumped to 53,000," said Huh Min, director of the Korea Heritage Service.

"This explosive growth means that this heritage is becoming part of people's everyday lives which is why the 12th edition of the K-Culture Royal Festival has expanded its programs."

"Royal Ancestral Ritual Music Nighttime Performance at Jongmyo Shrine," newly added to the lineup of foreigner-friendly programs, will run from April 28 to 30 at the shrine's main hall starting at 8 p.m. The performance will be held once a day and will be free of charge.

"The Dance of Crown Prince Hyomyeong and the Moon," also newly added this year, is a nighttime program at Changdeok Palace combining a guided tour with hands-on activities. Participants take part in preparations for jinjakrye, a royal banquet in which court officials presented alcohol and food to the king and queen on special occasions, by helping Crown Prince Hyomyeong make key decisions.

This 80-minute session, where participants cook and then eat royal cuisine while exploring its historic and cultural context, will be conducted in a spoken presentation format this year. This year's menu will feature the same dishes King Gojong served to Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, when she visited Korea in 1905.

"From previous sessions, I've found that foreigners are more willing than expected to embrace our food as it is," said Lee So-young, a certified trainee of royal food, in charge of the program.

A morning tour program, "Awakening the Morning Palace" at Changdeok Palace, is also a flagship program for foreigners where they are allowed access to serene mornings at the palace, at a time when it would otherwise be closed to visitors.

"Even if they are all palaces, their architecture all differs greatly," said Sung Sang-woo, an architect who will guide the tour for the program.

"Changdeok Palace, unlike Gyeongbok Palace, which has vast, flat courtyards, embraces the surrounding hilly landscape. As a result, it reveals unexpected spaces, scenes and hidden courtyards."

Under the theme "Palaces, Awakening the Arts," this year's K-Royal Culture Festival opens amid surging global interest in Korea's heritage, fueled by hit movies such as "KPop Demon Hunters" (2025) and K-pop acts like BTS incorporating traditional Korean motifs into their performances.

Rapper Woo Won-jae and an art troupe from the Korea Heritage Agency will share the stage for a performance of ganggangsullae, a traditional Korean circle dance ritual associated with harvest and fertility that is inscribed on Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. A hanbok (Korean traditional clothing) fashion show will also be held, set to a soundtrack blending gugak (Korean traditional music...

This article is by Alicia Carr and read by an artificial voice.

At Gyeongdong Market in Dongdaemun district, eastern Seoul, a busy hum fills the air as mostly older adult shoppers weave through tightly packed stalls. Vendors sell fresh produce, dried seafood and traditional herbal medicine. Yet, just above this lively maze, hidden at the top of an unsuspecting staircase, is Gyeongdong's secret gem — an atmospheric Starbucks cafe.

Dubbed Gyeongdong 1960, the store is an ambient, cinematic retreat that contrasts sharply with the bustle below. The specialty Starbucks location, which opened in December 2022, operates out of a historic Korean theater and is attracting visitors from around the world, turning a traditional marketplace into an unlikely destination.

The store is one of several unique locations Starbucks Korea has opened in recent years as they look to compete with independent cafes, which often bring more unique and trendy concepts. In May 2025, they also opened their Gwangjang Market branch, which features a retro-themed interior, a rooftop terrace and exclusive menu items.

The Gyeongdong theater opened in the 1960s and operated for roughly three decades before closing its doors, undone by dwindling audiences and a lack of funding.

After sitting vacant for years, the space has been reimagined as a Starbucks coffee shop.

The renovation maintains the retro and cinematic charm of the building. Tiered seating, vintage-style lighting and a large open floor plan echo the feel of an old-school movie theater. Customers are even informed that their orders are ready via a rolling projector screen that illuminates their name and order number.

At the front of the store, where the theater screen once stood, now sits the main counter, as well as display cases filled with specialty pastries and desserts.

A small stage hosts monthly performances from rising musicians, and a large central art piece created by a local artist hangs from the ceiling. The piece symbolizes community and the act of coming together.

Community is a central part of the store's mission, said Yena Cho, senior manager of Starbucks Korea's public affairs team.

Gyeongdong 1960 is an official Starbucks community store, meaning that a portion of its profits is donated back to the local area. For every purchase, 300 won goes toward revitalizing the Gyeongdong Market, funding improvements to facilities, signage and market stalls.

Cho said the unique store had become a destination for tourists and young people, attracting roughly 1,000 visitors every day.

"There is a beauty to it, almost a theatrical element. It's hidden, but then when you enter, you find a grand space that you didn't expect and an escape from the busy market down below."

Elizabeth Martinez and her son Peter Pacheco are tourists from California who visited the Starbucks during their trip to Seoul. The pair were staying in Itaewon, more than 30 minutes away by public transport. They said they had no other reason to be in the neighborhood and had made the trip specifically to visit the unique cafe after hearing about it from a friend and seeing it on social media.

"It's unique, and I love the atmosphere!" said Martinez. "I would have never guessed that a place like this would have been here. It's in a bit of a random neighborhood, and it's kind of crazy trying to find it."

While they never would have found themselves in the area otherwise, Martinez and Pacheco said they would be checking out the market and the surrounding neighborhood afterward.

As a specialty store, Gyeongdong 1960 sells drinks, pastries and merchandise that are exclusive to the location — another drawcard for many visitors.

Pacheco ordered the rice cream cold brew from the store's exclusive menu and was quick to praise the drink. "I'd definitely come back and order it again!"

Sandy Liao, a tourist from Taipei who was in Seoul visiting family, had already been to Gyeongdong 1960 a couple of times. On her last visit, she picked ...

This article is by Lee Young-keun and read by an artificial voice.

Soon after Samsung Electronics reported an estimated record operating profit for the first quarter of the year, an unusual message began circulating inside the company's internal network on Tuesday.

An employee posted a widely read note announcing their plan to leave for competitor Micron and urging their former colleagues to join a planned strike — a sign that even blockbuster earnings may be doing little to ease tensions between management and labor.

The post, titled "I'm moving to Micron," appeared on an internal company board on Tuesday. By the following morning, it had spread rapidly, drawing 45,000 views and more than 170 comments, according to insiders who spoke to the JoongAng Ilbo.

The author, who said Tuesday was their final day at the company, wrote that they had joined Samsung a year earlier and expected to stay until retirement.

"Samsung's status as the world's leading memory chipmaker, along with the superior compensation outlined during recruitment, made me believe that this company would be my lifelong workplace," the former employee wrote.

"But expectations, as it turns out, are different from reality."

The author of the post criticized what they described as Samsung's rigid compensation structure, saying that it offered "pay and benefits that do not meaningfully differ" from other large companies.

"I don't understand why there is a salary cap," they wrote. "Whether you work hard or not, compensation is bound by that ceiling. Who would feel motivated under such a system?"

The post struck a sharper tone given the timing. Samsung Electronics had just announced an operating profit of 57.2 trillion won ($38.8 billion) for the quarter, the highest in its history.

"Once you consider these figures, our compensation, treatment and welfare are not very special at all," the former employee wrote. "It is the workers who created these results. They deserve better pay and better benefits."

The author of the post went on to encourage their colleagues to participate in a rally scheduled for April 23 and a broader strike planned from May 21 to June 7, adding that they intended to attend the rally if possible.

The episode has underscored a growing paradox as strong earnings become a source of friction rather than cohesion inside Samsung.

The company's labor union issued a statement urging better compensation and benefits that would match Samsung Electronics' stature as a "first-tier company."

It rejected what it called an "unrealistic" promise to distribute special bonuses contingent on attaining 200 trillion won in annual earnings, arguing instead for rewards that reflect the company's current performance and growth trajectory.

But others in the industry have characterized the union's demands as tantamount to "throwing cold water on what should be a day of celebration."

Negotiations between Samsung and its union over compensation are currently stalled.

The company has offered a "special bonus" scheme that would guarantee employees in its memory division compensation on par with or exceeding that of competitors if the company ranks first domestically in revenue and operating profit.

For units expected to post losses, such as its chip design arm and foundry operations, the company proposed additional incentives tied to improved performance. The company has proposed a package that includes a 6.2 percent wage increase and expanded benefits, including housing support of up to 500 million won.

The union, however, has held firm in its demand to overhaul the bonus system, including removing a cap that limits performance bonuses to 50 percent of base salary.

It plans to hold a rally in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on April 23 and, failing an agreement, proceed with a strike from May 21 to June 7.

Kim Yang-paeng, a senior researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, said that while workers' calls for a share of a strong performance are understand...

This article is by Ha Nam-hyun and read by an artificial voice.

Switzerland's world-renowned ballet company Béjart Ballet Lausanne is on its way to Korea with performances starring Kim Ki-min, a principal dancer at the Mariinsky Ballet, one of the world's leading ballet companies.

The company will perform at the GS Arts Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, from April 23 to 26. It marks the ballet company's first performance in Korea since 2011 and its first in Seoul since 2001. The official title of the performance is "Béjart Ballet Lausanne with Kim Ki-min."

Kim is an award-winning dancer who won the Best Male Dancer award at the Benois de la Danse in 2016, one of the most prestigious honors in ballet.

Kim will appear twice in "Boléro," one of Béjart's most famous works, on April 23 and 25. Tickets for both of his performances sold out within five minutes of going on sale.

Kim, who joined the Mariinsky Ballet in 2011 and became its first Asian principal dancer in 2015, is currently based in Russia.

"The performance Mariinsky fans most wanted to see was 'Boléro,'" Kim stated during a video interview on Thursday. "Since I will be performing 'Boléro' for the first time in Korea, Mariinsky fans might be disappointed."

"I hope this performance shines more light on Béjart than on me," Kim stated.

Maurice Béjart (1927-2007), whom Kim referenced, was a pioneering choreographer who helped redefine modern ballet by incorporating original choreography into classical forms. The ballet company, which is visiting Korea for this performance, was founded by Béjart in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1987.

"I believe Béjart left the greatest legacy for today's dancers," Kim said. "It is also unfortunate that it took the ballet company 15 years to return to the Korean stage. If the company had visited more often, the Korean ballet scene might have evolved differently."

"Boléro," which premiered in 1961, is known for combining the role of "Melody," the central solo performed atop a red circular table, with rhythmic group choreography by male dancers surrounding it. Kim is the first Korean dancer to perform the role, which has previously been portrayed by world-renowned performers.

Julien Favreau, artistic director of Béjart Ballet Lausanne, said he recognizes that the role of Melody is both physically and mentally demanding, requiring exceptional stamina, constant precision, and the ability to sustain the energy of the entire stage throughout the performance. He has described seeing Kim transforming himself into the role to perfection.

"This is a role I truly wanted, and I am grateful for the opportunity," Kim said. "But the title of being the first Korean lead in 'Boléro' is not that important to me.

"I try to give more than 200 percent in both practice and performance," Kim continued. "I fall asleep and wake up listening to the music of 'Boléro,' and I am working to convey to the audience the emotions I feel during practice."

Kim also commented on the recent rise of young Korean dancers on the global stage.

"They have very solid fundamentals," Kim said. "However, some dancers focus more on appearing to be good dancers instead of actually honing their skills due to the Korean dance scene being hyper-focused on school entry auditions.

"This system may help the dancers achieve short-term goals such as winning awards, but it may be difficult to sustain high-quality performances over a long period," Kim added.

The ballet company will also present Béjart's "The Firebird," along with "Bye Bye Baby Blackbird" by Dutch choreographer Joost Vrouenraets and "Hamlet" by Slovenian choreographer Valentina Turcu.

Korean ballerina Lee Min-kyung, a member of the ballet company, will perform the role of Ophelia in "Hamlet." A graduate of Yewon School, a prestigious music school in Korea, and one year senior to Kim, Lee has been with the ballet company since 2020.

"Kim, whom I met in February, was just as playful and pure as he was 20 years ago," Lee said....