At the age of 16, ballet dancer Park Yoon-jae from Seoul Arts High School has become the first Korean male dancer to win the prestigious Lausanne Grand Prix. Held annually, the global event is open to dancers aged 15-18. During a press conference held at his alma mater, Park shared that he approached the stage not with a desire to win or a fear of error, but simply with a wish to enjoy himself. This mindset, he explained, helped him remain calm during his performance.
Even with the pressure that comes from constantly being evaluated, Park has navigated various challenges such as comments on his physique and dealing with leg cramps due to flat feet. Despite these, he emphasized the importance of self-confidence, individuality, and having the courage to express oneself on stage.
Known for his strong foundational skills, Park highlighted his flexibility, musicality, and ability to spin as his strengths. His performance of “Flames of Paris” in the final round was chosen to showcase these attributes. Despite the grueling and often painful nature of ballet, Park has never considered giving up and has learned to stay composed through practice.
Outside of ballet, Park’s demeanor is that of a typical high school sophomore. His classmates jokingly refer to him as a “god,” and he enjoys relaxing by watching YouTube or taking baths during his downtime.
Park envisions himself one day performing on the stage of the Paris Opera Garnier, aspiring to be a dancer who captures uniqueness and brilliance, much like his role models from the Paris Opera Ballet, Isabelle Ciaravola and Sylvie Guillem. He is driven by the belief that a dancer’s happiness can also bring joy to the audience, creating an inspiring and uplifting experience.