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| ▲ Audience cheer to the performers of the opening stage of the Korea Season at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, with 1,700 standing ovations at Korea-France Dance Battle. The photo was provided by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on May 3, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, May 3 (Yonhap) -- "Battle, battle, battle!"
As the cheers from the audience grew louder, dance crews from Korea and France showcased even more dynamic skills in the battle.
Highly challenging moves like windmills, headspins, and acrobatics were just the basics. As the cheers reached a crescendo, the two teams embraced, creating a harmonious stage with a single song. The song they performed together was "Standing Next to You" by BTS's Jungkook. After the performance, the audience erupted into a standing ovation.
On the evening of the 2nd local time, Korea's dance crew 'One Million' and France's “Pokemon Crew” presented a joint breaking dance performance titled “Urban Pulse Uprising” at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, France. The venue showed a stark contrast between the heated atmosphere inside and the chilly weather outside. Spectators, including Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, raised both hands above their heads and cheered.
This performance was arranged as the opening event for the “Korea Season” being showcased locally by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in anticipation of the Paris Olympics in July. The Ministry, in collaboration with 17 domestic cultural and arts institutions, will focus on introducing Korean culture intensively throughout France for six months.
The opening performance aimed to promote breaking, which was selected as the first official event at the Paris Olympics, and foster friendship between the two countries. Tickets priced at 12 to 29 euros for approximately 1,700 seats were sold out well in advance. This theater has previously hosted performances by Cho Sumi (2006), Na Yoon-sun (2013), and the National Changgeuk Company of Korea (2020).
The team that took the stage first and dominated with their skills was One Million led by renowned K-pop choreographer Lia Kim. They showcased a solid teamwork with K-pop dances like Lee Hi's "Breathe" and Hwasa's "Chili," along with breaking dances.
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| ▲ This photo, provided by the culture ministry on May 3, 2024, shows French dance crew "Pokemon Crew" performing at the Chatelet Theatre in Paris, wearing costume made of national flags of many countries, including Korea's taegeukgi. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Taking the stage after them, the Pokemon Crew presented a theatrical performance with dancer roles and self-arranged music, creating a story-driven stage. They also showcased performances with various national flags, including the Taegukgi, and the appearance of a spinning wheel in the background.
Despite the rainy weather, many figures from the cultural circles of Korea and France attended the performance. Among them were Ambassador Choi Jae-cheol of France, pianist Baek Geon-woo, mid-career writer Kwon E-na, former French Minister of Culture Jacques Lang (currently Director of the Arab World Institute), and Olivier Py, Director of the Chatelet Theatre. Baek Geon-woo, speaking to Korean journalists, said, "I haven't been in Seoul for long, and I'll be going back in a few days." He added, "Although I've been on the stage at the Chatelet Theatre before, it's my first time coming to see a dance performance. I came with my daughter because she wanted to see the show after being invited by Minister Yu." He also had a friendly conversation with Minister Yu, whom he affectionately addressed as "Senior Baek."
Minister Yu proposed a toast at the reception, saying, "As breaking is a new sport competing for the first time at the Paris Olympics, we are starting Korea Season with a breaking dance performance. Cheers to the success!"
Following this performance, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will present 'Spring Music Festival, Korea in Paris' at the Theatre de la Ville from May 18th to 20th, and Korean contemporary opera 'Chunhyang' at the Opera Comique in Paris on June 9th. Exhibitions, ballet, dance, and classical music performances will continue during the Paris Olympics period.
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