Ballerino Jeon Minchul from School of Dance Returns Home with The Little Mermaid

Jeon Minchul, a rising star on the international ballet stage, is returning to Korea with a full-length original ballet following his successful year as a First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet. He will perform for Korean audiences on July 11 and 12 at the Hwaseong Arts Center.

Last July, just one year after joining the Mariinsky Ballet, Jeon secured leading roles in major repertoire, rapidly expanding his presence on the global stage. Now recognized as a central figure in the international ballet community, he has chosen The Little Mermaid—one of Korea’s most representative original productions—for this homecoming. Choreographed by K-Arts Emeritus Professor Kim Sunhee, the work premiered in 2001 and has remained a beloved favorite among ballet fans for nearly 25 years. It holds special significance for K-Arts, having served as a vital milestone for many world-class dancers, including Paris Opera Ballet’s Park Se-eun, during their formative years. Jeon himself performed in the production during his time at the university.

In this production, Jeon will take on the role of the prince who falls in love with a mermaid princess longing for the human world. He will be partnered by Lee Subin, a current soloist with the Hungarian National Ballet, as the mermaid princess. Given that both dancers are highly regarded and internationally active, expectations for their collaboration are exceptionally high. Jeon’s performances are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. on July 11. The evening performance on the same day will feature fellow K-Arts alumni Seong Jae-seung as the prince and Kim Minjin as the mermaid princess.

This performance is drawing significant attention as it features a globally acclaimed Korean male dancer returning home to star in a production that holds a prestigious place in Korean ballet history. Audiences can look forward to experiencing the true essence of classical ballet through the production’s grand ensemble scenes and spectacular underwater set.