Ballerino Han Sung-woo Leads “2026 The Night in Seoul” Ballet Gala

Ballet dancer Han Sung-woo, a soloist with American Ballet Theater (ABT) and an alumnus of the School of Dance, served as artistic director of the “2026 The Night in Seoul” Ballet Gala, held at the Korean National Ballet’s Haeoreum Grand Theater of the Korean National Ballet from January 3 to January 4.

Han oversaw every aspect of the gala, from repertoire selection and choreographer outreach to assembling a star-studded cast. The lineup included Kang Hohyun, premier danseur of the Paris Opera Ballet; Jeon Mincheol, first soloist with Mariinsky Ballet; Cory Stearns and Chloe Misseldine, principal dancers with the ABT; and Park Younjae, the first Korean male winner of the top-prize at the 2025 Prix de Lausanne and a member of ABT.

Han became the first Korean male dancer to place runner-up at the 2011 Prix de Lausanne. He joined ABT in 2013 and has served as a soloist since 2022. Long interested in sharing his professional experience with younger dancers, he connected with E’production – founded by former Korean National Ballet soloist Lee Young-do – and began pursuing artistic direction last year.

His work as a director is not limited to gala projects. Last year, he launched a performance production brand titled “Atelier MU.” True to its name – an “atelier of dance” (with the Korean-Chinese character mu meaning “dance”) – the project reflects his ambition to serve as a bridge between the art scenes of South Korea and New York, drawing on the breadth of his international career.