Interview: Prince in progress, Jeon Min-chul finds his own Albrecht
Ballerino Jeon Min-chul is on the cusp of a major career leap. In June, he will join the Mariinsky Ballet -- only the second Korean to do so after Kim Ki-min.
Before that, he takes the final stage this week in Korea in two sold-out performances of "Giselle" with principal dancer Hong Hyang-gee, on Friday and Sunday. This is his second full-length ballet after Solor in "La Bayadere" last September.
'Giselle was the very first ballet I ever saw, actually,' Jeon said in a separate phone interview. 'And it's the ballet I've seen the most since then.'
Taking on the romantic lead, he knew from the start that he wanted to shape a version that felt true to both the character and to himself, at age 20.
"I kept asking myself: What kind of Albrecht can I portray best at this point in my life? He's young, maybe reckless. And I don't think his actions come from cruelty, but from not knowing what to do."
Jeon was drawn to Albrecht's emotional contradictions. Rather than portraying a perfectly polished prince, he leaned into the character's youthful uncertainty and flawed humanity.
'When you meet someone like Giselle, so pure, you wonder: is it love, or are you just pulled in by the feeling, the moment?' he said. 'From the outside, it may look like love. But inside, I think there's confusion as well. That's the side I wanted to explore.'
For Jeon, 2024 was the year everything changed. After making headlines in July, performance after performance sold out within minutes, as audiences flocked to see the young dancer bound for Russia. The whirlwind of success also brought a sense of growth, not only as an artist, but as a person.
"It felt like everything changed so suddenly and dramatically," said Jeon. 'My perspective expanded so much. I don't think I'll ever forget the year.'
"It's thrilling to imagine dancing in a completely new environment. Of course, I have concerns -- how I'll adapt, how I'll find my rhythm -- but I'm not someone who fears change. I trust that I'll find my way.'
hwangdh@heraldcorp.com
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