Korean choreographer brings popular show back on stage

Korean choreographer/ dancer Chun Yoo Oh is seen on stage of “Promise to 800” in late 2015Korean choreographer/ dancer Chun Yoo Oh is seen on stage of “Promise to 800” in late 2015

When “Promise to 800” was unveiled last December, it got positive responses from audiences in Hanoi and HCMC. The dance play tells a historical story about Ly Long Tuong, the last prince of the Ly dynasty who was on a boat trip with his relatives to escape extermination after a coup d’etat and took refuge in the kingdom of Goryeo (present-day Korea) in 1226.

With his great courage and mind, he helped people in the kingdom fight the Mongolian army. Ly Long Tuong was picked as general and his children also became high-ranking mandarins. After nearly 800 years, there have been around 2,000 descendants of the Ly dynasty in Korea.

The program is directed by Jung Sun Goo with the participation of local drama actor Bui Nhu Lai, Korean choreographer/dancer Chun Yoo Oh and German musician/pianist Peter Schindler.

Choreographer Chun Yoo Oh, also known as Madame Chun, told the Daily that compared to the old version of the dance show there are two more young and talented Vietnamese ballet dancers, Tran Hoang Yen and Sung A Lung from the HCMC Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera (HBSO). She has also invited popular monochord artist Le Hoai Phuong, the first Vietnamese who received a doctorate degree in traditional percussion in Korea, and two other cellists, Le Phan Nhu Quynh and Nong Hoang Duy, to perform some acts of the show.

Madame Chun said she wanted to bring the show to more audiences. Last year’s event was a great success for her as it lured lots of people. “However, my wish is to make the show accessible to more locals and expats as this is a historical artwork that helps enhance cultural understanding and also the most successful work in my career so far.”

Her upcoming plan is to stage another creation to honor Asian women on November 27 in Hanoi and HCMC.

Having lived in Saigon for 10 years, Chun invested her own money in three concerts, “Into the time” in 2013, “Arirang Saigon” in 2014, and “Cay no” (Cross-Bow) in 2015.

Actor Bui Nhu Lai has been performing for more than 10 years in the country and won multiple awards in China, Egypt, Thailand and Cambodia. German composer/pianist Peter Schindler has created numerous soundtracks for TV dramas, and musical plays. He is also a leader of SaltaCello jazz band which has gained popularity in Korea.

The show is organized by the HCMC Union of Friendship Organizations, HBSO, Insight B&C, A&A, Daewon Vietnam, and Procantex. Invitation tickets are available at the ticket box of HBSO at 7 Lam Son Square in HCMC’s District 1. For further information, contact Ms. Huong on 0989 874 517.