The Yunbyul Ballet Company is bringing festive holiday cheer to audiences with its upcoming gala performance "Black & White," scheduled for December 10 and 11 at the Mapo Art Center. The event, co-produced by the Mapo Art Center and the ballet company as their 2025 year-end celebration, promises to deliver both dance excellence and fresh creative works in a holiday party atmosphere.
Artistic director Yun Byul announced at a Thursday press conference that the gala will feature eight works presented in contrasting black-and-white themes. The program includes classical ballet pieces from renowned works such as "Swan Lake" and "Don Quixote," alongside four original creations by the company. "We structured the gala in two contrasting parts, casting dancers accordingly, with the aim of capturing the warmth and festive spirit of a winter holiday celebration," Yun explained during the press conference, where ballet dancers Kang Gyeong-ho, Jung Sung-wook, and Kim Yu-chan joined him for a group photo.
The young Yunbyul Ballet Company has achieved remarkable success in just under two years of operation. Their ballet adaptation of the traditional Korean hat, titled "Gat," toured nationwide this year and sold out every single performance. The production gained additional attention after the release of Netflix's animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters" due to striking similarities between the show's Saja Boys and the ballet's dancers, who performed in traditional hats and black robes that evoked the image of grim reapers.
For the "Black & White" gala, choreographer Park So-yeon, who created the acclaimed "Gat," will debut two new works. Her contributions include "Not Cracker," described as a modern interpretation of the classic "Nutcracker," and "Winterreise," which draws inspiration from Schubert's evocative song cycle. Artistic director Yun will also present his own choreographic work titled "Three Fools," a playful piece that depicts three friends at a concert who become more absorbed in their own antics than the music being performed.
The gala will showcase ballet stars who gained public recognition through Mnet's dance competition "Stage Fighter," including Kang Gyeong-ho, Kim Yu-chan, and Jung Sung-wook. All three dancers also appeared in the company's breakthrough production "Gat." Kim Yu-chan will make his choreographic debut with "Rhapsody in Blue," a classical ballet piece set to George Gershwin's iconic jazz composition that aims to capture the glittering energy of a year-end party. "I've always loved creating," Kim shared. "I would have friends try out moves with me just for fun. Before going to the US in 2017, I had the chance to stage my own choreography and perform in it myself. This new piece involves the largest cast I've ever worked with, and I'm enjoying every moment of it."
Kang Gyeong-ho, who finished second on "Stage Fighter," appeared as a guest dancer in several productions throughout the year, including performances with the Seoul Metropolitan Ballet. Explaining his decision to return to Yunbyul Ballet Company, Kang said, "This is a place that lets me shine. Here, you can do what you love while earning a living and looking your best. The company constantly offers exciting challenges and opportunities for dancers to excel. Even though it's only been a few years since we started, the potential is limitless."
Jung Sung-wook emphasized the company's innovative creative approach, noting how it sets them apart in the industry. "Many private ballet companies repeat the same repertoire, but Yunbyul Ballet Company breaks that mold without forcing it. That makes the experience feel fresh and authentic," he explained.
Despite calling the company a "startup," artistic director Yun stressed the organization's serious artistic purpose and ambitions. "This is a company built on passion. We want to show that we can excel. While we gained recognition through the media and 'Gat,' 'Black & White' is our step to show we are good at what we do," he concluded, positioning the upcoming gala as a demonstration of the company's growing artistic maturity and capabilities.
