Male ballet leads steal spotlight in new director's 1st 'Giselle' production

The Korea National Ballet unveiled a fresh interpretation of Giselle when it presented its inaugural production since the appointment of Kim Joo-won as artistic director, from October 13-18. The show received accolades for its decision to cast a multitude of emerging talents in principal roles. Among these promising newcomers, corps de ballet members Na Dae-han, 34, and Kim Yoon, 19, garnered particular acclaim for their unique portrayals of Albrecht, Giselle's suitor.

The performances of these two male dancers left such a lasting impression on spectators that some opted to attend multiple shows to fully appreciate the distinct styles each brought to the stage. Both Na and Kim made their stage debuts at the National Arts Companies rehearsal facility in Seoul's Seocho District, following their first full-length ballet performances in lead roles.

Standing at 182 centimeters and 190 centimeters respectively, these two dancers possess an impressive physical presence even before they begin to dance. Kim, who recently underwent a health checkup, commented on his towering height, noting it had been measured at 191.1 centimeters.