The Professional Dancers’ Support Center has announced Jung Seung Hee, a renowned Korean traditional dancer and educator, as the recipient of the 2024 Beautiful Dancer Award. This accolade recognizes her lifelong dedication to advancing the field of dance in South Korea.

The Beautiful Dancer Award, established by the Professional Dancers’ Support Center, honors individuals, whether dancers or non-dancers, who have significantly contributed to the growth and development of Korean dance.

Jung Seung Hee, now 79, played a pivotal role in establishing the foundation of professional dance education in Korea. She served as a professor at the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) Dance School from its inception in 1996, nurturing world-class dancers and elevating the status of Korean traditional dance on the global stage. She is also a current member of the National Academy of Arts. Her contributions to Korean dance, both as an educator and as an artist, have been widely recognized.

In addition to the main award, several other figures were honored for their contributions to dance. Park In Gun, the General Director of the National Theater of Korea, received a Certificate of Appreciation for his leadership in promoting arts-based employment opportunities and fostering artistic outreach. Kim Sun Hee, a professor at K-Arts, was awarded the Special Contribution Award for her efforts in globalizing Korean ballet education.

The 2024 Shining Dance Artist Awards, recognizing individuals for outstanding achievements in choreography and performance, were also announced. Recipients include Cha Soo Jung, head of the dance department at Sookmyung Women’s University (Dance Artist Award); Yang Young Eun, artistic director of Beyond Ballet (Choreographer Award); and dancers Kang Hyuk, member of Blue Dance Theater, and Choi Ho Jong, deputy artistic director of SAL (Dancer Awards).

The awards ceremony will be held on December 16 at the Emerald Hall of the Shilla Hotel in Seoul.

Jung Seung Hee’s recognition underscores her lifelong commitment to preserving and advancing Korean traditional dance. Her contributions have left an indelible mark on the field, not only fostering new generations of dancers but also ensuring the global prominence of Korea’s rich dance heritage.

Sayart / Sharon Jung, guhuijeong784@gmail.com