Review: Park Se-eun's 'Giselle' — Innocent Girl, Reverent Wili
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Park Se-eun starred as the title role in the National Ballet of Korea’s production of Giselle at Seoul’s Arts Center (예술의전당). Having missed a previous Korean staging due to childbirth, Park partnered with principal Kim Ki‑wan for two performances. The company used Patrice Bart’s re‑choreography of the Paris Opera Ballet version. Park convincingly portrayed Giselle’s naïve, fragile first act turn into a haunting, forgiving Wili (virgin ghost) in act two, with elevated jumps and a solemn expression that conveyed sacrifice. The ensemble of Wilis provided striking, eerie unity, and Hanna‑rae’s Mirta anchored the second act with regal authority. Kim Ki‑wan’s Albrecht fell short due to a recurring calf injury that limited jumps and turns, though his effort remained visible. Overall, Park’s two‑sided characterization and the corps’ precision made the performance a memorable celebration of romantic ballet.
