…as Tatiana in ”Onegin”.
The Stuttgart Ballet has alot of beautiful girls on it’s roster. However, we all know that it is rare when a dancer is able to combine talent, drive, intelligence and instinct along with that beauty to create an outstanding stage career. Sue Jin Kang has done just that.(and then some…)
I have been absolutely captivated by Sue Jin’s artistry since her performance in ‘The Lady of the Camellias’ held me ,and most likely the rest of the audience, spellbound about 6 years ago when i had just come to Europe to become a student of the John Cranko School. Since joining the company, I have become quite close with Sue Jin and still, everytime I see her am struck by her serene beauty. Whenever I mention this to her she blushes and sort of just shrugs in disbelief. She is certainly the most accomplished ballerina in the company at the moment and has worked with countless major choreographers of our generation since starting her twenty year career here. She is a star of phenomenal proportion in her native South Korea aswell(tabloid-worthy!) yet she manages to remain completely humble about it all.
I think she is an exemplary figure at our theater which is why I wanted to share the exciting fact that she has just been named ‘Kammertänzerin’ on behalf of the country of Germany. ‘Kammer’ dancer is a title that is hardly ever reached in German theater and is an honour that is exclusive to Germany. It is really like a ‘lifetime achievement’ recognition (a dancer’s life ‘onstage’ usually occurring before the age of 40…) The acknowledgement is more common (though still incredible) amid the Opera crowd but is hardly ever given to a dancer. I believe there are under 10 Kammertänzern in existence and the rank can only be given by the German government after each big theater recommends various candidates. The last time I saw someone receive the title was around that time when I first got to see Sue in ‘Lady of the Camellias’ over five years ago. The title that year went to Tamas Detrich (now our assistant Ballet director) after a memorable performance of ‘Onegin’ with Susan Jaffe. Needless to say, such an acheivement is not something that happens every day… or even every year.
Sue Jin will be performing the role of ‘Juliet’ this Saturday in a very special performance. One that I think is sure to merit an upcoming post…
…as Maurgerite in ”Die Kameliendame”.Sue Jin Kang’s brief biography may be found here…
http://www.ballerinagallery.com/kang.htm
bill
An eloquent and generous tribute, Evan - thanks for opening my eyes to this dancer.
Apr 19, 2007 @ 19:59
tonya
How sweet of you to post about her! And it’s obvious how much you look up to her — so sweet
(like David with the Julie post on her 20th anniversary with ABT…) She does look like a really beautiful dancer from the photos. And it’s interesting about the German government’s way of recognizing its national artists. I don’t think we have anything similar?… We have poet laureates and Pulitzers for literary artists, but nothing that I can think of for performing artists…
Btw: who are these people Alicia Amatriain and Jason Reilly who will be performing here in the YAGP? Are they worth $45 for me to see?
I wish YOU were coming 
Apr 19, 2007 @ 20:10
sloan
yes, i second that.
thanks for the great post on her.
it’s interesting, i was reading around on Kammertänzerin and found this quote…
Those designated as “Kammertanzerin” are entitled to lifetime support for artistic activities from the state government and enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution.
wow.
Apr 19, 2007 @ 20:11
Evan McKie
”….Those designated as “Kammertanzerin” are entitled to lifetime support for artistic activities from the state government and enjoy immunity from criminal prosecution….”
This, Kristin, is something i certainly did NOT know !!! :):):)
and apperently the title is also recognized in Austria.
I doubt Sue Jin (sometimes spelled ‘Soo Jin’) will be prosecuted for any criminal behavior anytime soon but that would make great fodder for the South-Korean tabloids….
Apr 19, 2007 @ 20:28
jennifer
even, you’re right…she is utterly revered in south korea. it’s also great to see such an accomplished dancer who is Asian…besides her and Yuan Yuan Tan, there aren’t many outside of Asian dance companies that are so accomplished and recognized worldwide. congrats, sue jin… come perform in the u.s. soon so we can see you here too
Apr 19, 2007 @ 20:48
Lindsey
I would love to see her one day. I absolutely adore the photo of her in Onegin (one of my most favorite ballets!). Thank you for showing us this beautiful dancer.
Apr 20, 2007 @ 01:15
Chimene
Well, here is Ms Kang on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvDZRSp3KFA.
Apr 20, 2007 @ 14:22
Chimene
Speaking of South Korean dancers. I saw this guy, Jimmy Cha, featured in Anaheim Ballet’s: more than dance segment at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdqjn-M-lhU. I think dude rocks and is pretty hot, too.
Apr 20, 2007 @ 14:40
tonya
Hehe, Chimene, I totally noticed Cha too when Doug Fox linked to the Anaheim videos on his Great Dance blog. I even commented on Doug’s blog, “who is that Asian guy?!” or something like that…
(and I think it’s primarily in this country that we’re so into punishing low level drug use and stuff). I guess it’s the same as ambassadors and their families who usually have immunity in their host countries… The lifetime support for artistic activities is awesome though!
S. & E.: The criminal immunity thing blows my mind too! I guess they just assume dancers and other artists are just not natural rapists and murderers
Apr 20, 2007 @ 16:05
Ah Rum
Wow..thank you for such a generous post!!
Being a South Korean, I’m very proud of what Sue Jin Kang has achieved.
She is certainly a role model for all ballet students and fans in Korea and we are all proud of her.
I know how lucky I am to have seen her in ‘The lady of Camelias’ and hopefully, the Stuggart Ballet Company
performs in Korea once more before she retires.
Apr 23, 2007 @ 11:16