A Study on the Revitalization Strategies for Korean Creative Ballet Through an Analysis of the National Ballet Company’s Work: Focusing on Korean Creative Ballet Situation and Overseas Preceding Research Analysis

Abstract

Korean creative ballet has been continuously evolving through the active performances of professional ballet companies and university alumni ballet troupes. However, in the case of Korean-style creative ballet, the challenge of balancing Korea’s unique identity with the practical competitiveness required in modern society remains a persistent issue. This study aims to analyze the Korean creative ballet works of the National Ballet Company, which has played a significant role in the development of Korean creative ballet, and to review relevant overseas studies to propose more practical and convincing improvement strategies. An examination of the major challenges facing Korean creative ballet identified two key issues: the lack of unique attributes exclusive to Korean creative ballet and deficiencies in stage technology and support infrastructure. Through an analysis of the works of the National Ballet Company, several common strengths were observed, including familiar storytelling structures based on traditional ballet narratives, expressive use of stage space, props, and lighting to convey character emotions and situations, and the direct incorporation of Korean identity through stage props. However, limitations were also identified, such as a lack of experimental narratives and contemporary interpretations, insufficient utilization of digital technologies, and difficulties in securing competitiveness for international audiences. Based on these findings, this study proposes two key improvement strategies. First, the introduction of nonlinear narratives and interactive stage compositions is necessary to enhance audience engagement and immersion, ultimately strengthening global competitiveness. Second, the active adoption of digital technologies, such as digital media art, projection mapping, and augmented reality (AR), should be emphasized as a means to reinterpret traditional aesthetic elements in a modern context. The strategies proposed in this study are expected to contribute to strengthening both the unique identity and the global competitiveness of Korean creative ballet. Future research should focus on applying these strategies to actual performances and conducting follow-up studies to verify their effectiveness through audience and expert evaluations.