25 Students of the School of Dance and KNIGA Shine at the 22^nd Seoul International Dance Competition

K-Arts students stood out at the 22^nd Seoul International Dance Competition (SIDC), held from Tuesday, May 27 to Sunday, July 20 at the Mapo Art Center. Kwon Jinwon (age 23, K-Arts) placed first, and Min Jeongwon (age 23, K-Arts) placed second in the contemporary senior female division. In the same division for males, Ryu Inung (age 26, K-Arts) and Mun Daegyu (age 25, K-Arts) took second and third, respectively.

In the ethnic dance creative senior female division, Kim Dana (age 23, K-Arts) placed second, and Mun Chaewon (age 22, K-Arts) third, and Jang Chae-eun (age 22, K-Arts) received a special prize. Additionally, Son Jio (age 23, K-Arts) placed second in the young choreographer division.

In the ballet senior female division, So Haeun (age 20, K-Arts), Kim Minjin (age 19, K-Arts), and Lee Ami (age 19, K-Arts) placed first, second, and third, respectively. In the senior male division, Lee Jaehwi (age 19, K-Arts) placed second. Meanwhile, Seo Kyeongwon (age 21, K-Arts) received the jury’s prize, and Lim Hyeongjin (age 22, K-Arts) was awarded the Chairperson of the Executive Committee’s prize.

The ballet prodigies enrolled in the KNIGA (director Hur Younghan) also delivered dazzling performances. In the junior male division, Lee Minseong (age 17, Gwangju Arts High School), placed third. In the pre-junior 2 male division, Jeong Siyul (age 14, Yewon School) placed first. In the pre-junior 2 female division, Cho Seowu (age 14, Sungin Middle School) placed first. Additionally, Jang Sarang (age 13, Pureunsol Middle School) received the jury’s prize, and Kim Nahyeon (age 13, Sungui Middle School) was granted the Chairperson of the Executive Committee’s prize.

In the ballet pre-junior 1 male division, Kang Dongyeop (age 12, Jangjae Elementary School) placed first. In the female division of the same category, Park Heehun (age 12, Inwang Middle School) placed first. Also, Kim A-hyeon (age 12, Gyeongsin Middle School) placed second, and Ryu Dayeong (age 12, Seoul Soongshin Elementary School) placed third. Choi Seoyun (age 13, Seongmyeong Girl’s Middle School) received the jury’s prize, and Lee Seoyeon (age 11, Daegu Bumuh Elementary School) earned the special prize.

Established in 2004, the SIDC is the largest dance Olympics in Asia, introducing promising young Korean dancers to the international stage and helping them start and build their careers abroad. SIDC is distinguished from other dance competitions by, for the first time in Korea, including foreign experts from many countries on the jury. The competition strives to set a role model and consolidate its status within the arts community.