Universal Ballet's 'Chunhyang' Features Igor Kontarev's Debut as Mongryong
The Universal Ballet's performance of 'Chunhyang' at the CJ Towol Theater in Seoul from June 13 to 15, 2025, was particularly memorable. Russian soloist Igor Kontarev, 31, made his debut as the lead character Mongryong on June 14. Kontarev is the fourth in a line of 'blue-eyed Mongryong' dancers, following in the footsteps of notable figures such as Semion Chudin, former Bolshoi principal dancer Vladimir Shklyarov, and current Universal Ballet principal Konstantin Novoselov. Dressed in traditional hanbok and performing to Tchaikovsky's music, Kontarev's debut coincided with the farewell performance of 40-year-old soloist Han Sang-hee, who portrayed Chunhyang. This day marked a poignant intersection of beginnings and endings in the ballet world.
The Universal Ballet has a long-standing connection with Russian dancers, partly due to the influence of Oleg Vinogradov, who served as artistic director from 1998 to 2007. Kontarev, originally from Saratov, Russia, joined the Universal Ballet in 2016 after performing with a ballet company in St. Petersburg. He expressed his surprise and excitement upon learning he would play a Korean character, feeling a significant sense of responsibility. He noted that the role of Mongryong requires a different emotional depth compared to his previous performances, having played nearly every male role in 'Chunhyang' except for Mongryong and Byeon Hak-do during his ten years with the company.
'Chunhyang' is one of Universal's signature original ballets, alongside 'Shim Chung.' Kontarev explained that the movement style in 'Chunhyang' differs from classical ballet, emphasizing a more dynamic use of the upper body and arms, reflecting the influence of Korean dance. He described Mongryong as a complex character, not merely a 'prince on a white horse,' but a man who struggles with his own weaknesses and societal expectations, ultimately choosing love over tradition.
For Han Sang-hee, the performance as Chunhyang on the same evening was a farewell to nearly 30 years of dedication to ballet. After training at Seoul Arts High School and Korea National University of Arts, and performing with elite companies like the Monaco Royal Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet, Han joined Universal Ballet in 2010. Despite facing injuries that delayed her debut, she finally took on lead roles, including a memorable performance in 'Chunhyang' during the pandemic.
Reflecting on her career, Han expressed a bittersweet feeling about leaving the stage, likening ballet to a gift box filled with joy, sorrow, frustration, and hope. She realized that all the experiences contained within were ultimately about happiness.
