Jeon Min-chul

In this Korean name, the family name is Jeon.
Jeon Min-chul
Jeon Mincheol at 17th of July after his debut as Solor at Mariinsky theatre
Born (2004-06-19) 19 June 2004
Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Education
OccupationFirst soloist
Years active2024–present
Height184
Career
Current groupMariinsky Theatre
Korean name
Hangul
전민철
Hanja
全珉徹
RRJeon Mincheol
MRChŏn Minch'ŏl

Jeon Min-chul (Korean: 전민철; born 19 June 2004) is a South Korean ballet dancer, first soloist with the Mariinsky Theatre ballet company. Winner of the international ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix (2025), one of the most prestigious international ballet competitions.[1] Only the second Korean ballet dancer ever admitted to the Mariinsky's ballet company, after principal dancer Kim Ki-min.[2][3]

Biography

Jeon was born on June 19, 2004, in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, to a family of office workers.[4][5] He has an older sister and brother.[6]

The first ballet Jeon ever watched was Giselle. After seeing it on TV, he told his mother he wanted to start ballet.[3]

His parents signed him up for Korean Traditional dance due to weak health.[7][8] The studio director later recommended him to audition for the lead role in the musical Billy Elliot in 2017.[9] Candidates underwent 8 weeks of training (6 days/week) in tap dance, ballet, contemporary dance, and singing. The selection was broadcast on the Korean TV show "Finding a Genius" (aired nationwide on SBS). Jeon advanced to the finals — seven candidates were selected out of 200 — but ultimately wasn’t chosen as one of the four Billy performers due to his voice breaking and his height exceeding 150 cm.[10]

After the failed audition, he briefly stopped dancing. However, persuaded by the musical’s choreography director, he transferred from a regular middle school to Seonghwa Arts Middle School and began specializing in ballet.[9][11] Since Jeon started ballet relatively late, he initially lacked experience. However, at the entrance ceremony at Seonghwa Arts High School, it was announced that he had taken first place in the enrollment practical exam.[12][13]

He graduated from Seonghwa Arts High School and entered the Korea National University of Arts in 2022 under the gifted student program in dance performance.[8][13]

In 2019, Jeon won second prize at the Korea International Ballet Competition. That same year, he reached the Top 12 Junior finals at the Youth America Grand Prix (Seoul, 2019).[14] In 2023, he competed at the Youth America Grand Prix (Tampa and New York, 2023) in both the pas de deux and Solo Variation categories, winning first place in the pas de deux and third place in the Solo Variation. By winning first prize at one of ballet's major competitions, he earned exemption from mandatory Korean military service at just 18 years old.[15][16]

On June 6, 2024, he performed at the Ballet Layer Gala in two pieces: The Walk and Boléro, choreographed by Kim Yeongol.[13]

At the end of June 2024, it was announced that Jeon would participate in a closed audition for the Mariinsky Theatre ballet company—one of the world’s top five ballet ensembles—thanks to the support of Kim Kimin, principal dancer, who had shared footage of Jeon’s performances with Yuri Fateev, the Mariinsky’s ballet répétiteur.[13][17] Shortly afterward, in early July, following a week-long audition process in Saint Petersburg, Jeon was invited to join the company as a soloist—bypassing the traditional entry-level position in the corps de ballet.[18][19]

On August 3–4, 2024, he performed in the production Asteros Ballet in Japan. On August 28, 2024, he appeared in Ballet with Commentary alongside Professor Kim Yeongol.[20]

In August 2024, it was announced that Universal Ballet had invited Jeon to debut in the principal role of Solor in La Bayadère on September 27, 2024.[21][22][23]

Jeon's life story inspired sculptor Go Yoseong to create the work "Jeon Mincheol, the Cold Wind and Bonfire", which was exhibited at the Doosan Art Center's Doosan Gallery in January 2025.[24][25]

In February 2025, Jeon performed in the encore of the pas de deux "Dancing with Pierrot".[26]

On Valentine's Day (February 14), 2025, Jeon premiered his self-choreographed piece "Dream of Love during the "Franz Liszt Night" performance at the Mapo Art Center.[27][28]

In early April 2025, it was announced that Universal Ballet had selected Jeon as a guest artist for the role of Count Albrecht in Giselle on April 18 and 20, 2025.[29][30]

Immediately after his performance in Giselle on April 20, Jeon flew to the United States to compete in the Youth America Grand Prix (Tampa, April 21–27, 2025), where he won the Grand Prix.[31][32][33]

After Jeon's arrival in Saint Petersburg on June 12, 2025, Andrian Fadeyev, Artistic Director of the Mariinsky Theatre, informed him that his debut in a leading role would take place on July 17 in the ballet La Bayadère.[34]

On July 4, 2025, he made his debut as a guest artist on the Mariinsky Theatre stage in the pas de trois of the Prince's Friends in the ballet Swan Lake.[35]

On July 17, as scheduled, he debuted in the principal role of Solor on the Mariinsky Theatre stage in the ballet La Bayadère.[36][37][38][39]

Since October 2025, he has held the official position of first soloist with the Mariinsky Theatre.[14][40]

On October 25, he debuted in the principal role of Count Albrecht on the Mariinsky Theatre stage in the ballet Giselle.[41]

Repertoire

With Universal Ballet

With Mariinsky Theatre

  • July 4, 2025 – Pas de Trois of the Prince’s Friends in the ballet “Swan Lake”, choreography by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov (1895), revised choreography and stage direction: Konstantin Sergeyev (1950)[35]
  • July 17, 2025 – Solor, “La Bayadère”, choreography by Marius Petipa (1877), revised choreography by Vladimir Ponomarev and Vakhtang Chabukiani (1941) with dances by Konstantin Sergeyev and Nikolai Zubkovsky[37]
  • October 25, 2025 - Count Albrecht, Giselle, choreography by Jean Coralli, Jules Perrot and Marius Petipa[41]

Awards

  • Prize-winner at the Youth America Grand Prix international competition (Tampa, USA; Grand Prix, 2025; 1st prize in the pas de deux category and 3rd prize in the solo category, 2023)
  • Prize-winner at the Korea International Ballet Competition (Seoul, 2019; 2nd prize)
  • Prize-winner at the Youth America Grand Prix international competition (Seoul, 2019; best male dancer in the junior age division)[14]

References

  1. ^ Akhmetzianova, Aisylu (2025-04-30). "Ballerino Jeon Minchul wins major global contest in Florida". Korea.net. Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  2. ^ Park, Jin-hai (2024-09-21). "INTERVIEW Rising star Jeon Min-chul shares passion for classical ballet, lifelong dream". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  3. ^ a b Hwang, Dong-hee (2025-04-17). "Interview: Prince in progress, Jeon Min-chul finds his own Albrecht". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  4. ^ Naver. 전민철 [Jeon Min-chul]. Naver search (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-23.
  5. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2025-02-05). 발레리노 전민철 "아빠는 내가 행복한 건 안 보여?" 한국의 빌리 엘리어트, 세계로 날다 [Ballet Dancer Jeon Min-cheol: 'Dad, Can't You See I'm Happy?' - Korea's Billy Elliot Takes Flight to the World]. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  6. ^ Solodkova, Maria (2025-04-30). Дебют Чон Мин Чхоля в балете «Баядерка» Мариинского театра [Jeong Min-chul's debut in the Mariinsky Theatre's "La Bayadere"]. Korea.net (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  7. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2025-03-05). "[이 아침의 발레리노] 마린스키발레단 뚫은 완벽한 유연성·표현력, 전민철". Arte (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  8. ^ a b Kim, Ga-yeon (2024-07-08). ""무용해서 행복해" 눈물 뚝뚝 흘리던 소년…세계 톱 발레단 입단" ['Dance brings me joy' - Tears streamed down the boy's face... as he joined a world-top ballet company]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  9. ^ a b Choi, Tae-kyung; Kim, Eun-hee (2025-05-25). "전민철 "예술은 그냥 행복, 즐길 수 있는 것이에요"" ['Art is simply happiness - something to be enjoyed.' - Jeon Min-chul]. GQ (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  10. ^ Yang, Jin-ha (2017-01-22). "'내가 한국의 빌리 엘리어트'" ['I am Korea's Billy Elliot']. The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-22.
  11. ^ Im, So-jeong (2024-08-30). "마린스키가 택한 천재소년 전민철, "체계적 교육 시스템도 필요"" [Marinsky's Chosen Prodigy, Jeon Min-cheol: 'A Systematic Training System is Also Necessary]. MBC (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  12. ^ Ahn, Seo-kyung (2024-04-26). "마린스키 발레단이 택한 발레리노, 전민철의 꿈" [The Mariinsky Ballet's Chosen Dancer: Jeon Min-chul's Dream]. Harper’s Bazaar (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  13. ^ a b c d Yoo, Ju-hyeon (2024-06-29). "한국의 기적' 찬사 쏟아졌다…발레계 발칵 뒤집은 20살 청년 [출처:중앙일보]" [Korea’s ballet miracle’ – 20-year-old sensation takes dance world by storm]. The JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  14. ^ a b c Mariinsky Theatre. "Minchul Jeon". Mariinsky Theatre. Retrieved 2025-08-06.
  15. ^ Kim Yong-rae (2023-04-12). "한예종 전민철·김수민, 유스아메리카그랑프리 우승". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  16. ^ Yoo Ju-hyeon (2023-07-06). "[단독] 세계 톱 발레단도 반했다...'국보급' 20세 전민철, 마린스키 입단" [[Exclusive] The world's top ballet company is also smitten... 'National treasure-level' 20-year-old Jeon Min-cheol joins the Mariinsky]. Joongang Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  17. ^ Kim, Seok-jae (2024-10-17). "[나이트라인 초대석] '마린스키' 두 번째 한국인 발레리노 전민철" [[Nightline Special Guest] Jeon Min-cheol: The Second Korean Ballet Dancer to Join the Mariinsky]. SBS (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Oh, Bo-ram (2024-09-21). "전민철 "마린스키발레단장이 '한국 스승께 감사하라' 하셨죠"". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  19. ^ Jo, Eun-im (2024-07-08). "'빌리 엘리어트' 꿈꾸던 발레리노 전민철, 마린스키 발레단 입단". Chosun Biz (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  20. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2024-07-18). "[단독] 전민철, 유니버설발레단 '라 바야데르' 피날레 장식". Arte ] (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  21. ^ Lim, Soon-hyun (2024-08-26). "'마린스키 입단' 전민철, 무용극 '피아노 파드되' 앙코르 공연". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  22. ^ Park, Jin-hai (2025-04-22). "INTERVIEW Rising star Jeon Min-chul shares passion for classical ballet, lifelong dream". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
  23. ^ Ryu, Ga-young (2024-11-25). "발레리노 전민철 "제 춤이 치유의 역할을 했으면 좋겠어요"". Vogue (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  24. ^ Jeon, Yeo-ul (2025-01-09). "선명한 몽상가들, 고요손과 전민철". W (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  25. ^ Hwang, Hee-kyung (2025-01-27). "발레리노 전민철과 조각가 고요손의 협업…두산아트랩 전시". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  26. ^ Kim, Jong-un (2024-12-21). "'마린스키 입단' 전민철, 무용극 '피아노 파드되' 앙코르 공연". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  27. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2025-02-18). "200년전 리스트 신드롬을 연상케한 발레리노 전민철". The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  28. ^ Jang, Ji-young (2025-02-01). "안무가 김용걸-발레리노 전민철, 피아노 선율에 춤의 날개를 달다" [Choreographer Kim Yong-geol and ballerina Jeon Min-cheol give wings to dance to piano melodies]. Kookming Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  29. ^ Koh, Seung-hee (2025-04-22). "'매진까지 3분' 전민철, 사뿐히 뛰어올라 새처럼 날았다 [고승희의 리와인드]". The Korea Herald (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-04-26.
  30. ^ Jeong, Ju-won (2025-04-21). "중력 거스른 점프 … 알브레히트役 전민철, 객석 압도". Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  31. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2025-04-28). "전민철 유스아메리카그랑프리(YAGP)서 대상". Arte (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  32. ^ KTimes (2025-04-29). "Ballerino Jeon Min-chul wins top prize at 'Youth America Grand Prix'". The Korea Times. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  33. ^ The Chosun Ilbo (2025-04-29). "20세 발레리노 전민철, 유스 아메리카 그랑프리 대상". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  34. ^ Lee, Tae-hoon; Yu, Jung-in (2025-06-27). "Jeon Min-chul to make principal debut at Mariinsky Ballet". The Chosun Ilbo. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  35. ^ a b Mariinsky Theatre. "Дебюты в балете". Mariinsky Theatre (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  36. ^ Lee, Hae-won (2025-07-20). "솔로르로 러시아 홀린 전민철 "한껏 오만하게, 느릿느릿 걸었다"". Arte ] (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  37. ^ a b Mariinsky Theatre. "Дебюты в балете". Mariinsky Theatre (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  38. ^ Sumzina, Julia (2025-07-23). "Minchul Jeon: the new Solor at Mariinsky". La Notte. Retrieved 2025-07-17.
  39. ^ Lee, Tae-hoon (2025-07-19). "기립박수 커튼콜 6번… '완성형 무용수' 뜨거운 데뷔". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-27.
  40. ^ Choi, Joo-seong (2025-10-19). "전민철, 러시아 마린스키 발레단 퍼스트 솔로이스트 정식 등록". Yonhap (in Korean). Retrieved 2025-07-20.
  41. ^ a b Mariinsky Theatre. "Дебюты в балете". Mariinsky Theatre (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-17.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.