Yuna Kim's Ballet Debut: Behind the Scenes of a Viral Sensation

The world is abuzz with excitement as figure skating queen Yuna Kim takes on the challenge of ballet, showcased in a viral video. Director Shin Woo-seok of Dolphin Kidnapping Crew, who helmed the project, shared behind-the-scenes insights into the content planning and filming process. Shin is known for directing music videos for NewJeans' hits like 'Ditto', 'ETA', and 'OMG'.

The Google campaign 'Our Queen is back', presented by Kakao Entertainment's commercial IP studio Dolphin Kidnapping Crew, has amassed a total of 36 million views across its main and behind-the-scenes videos since its release on the 6th. This content reinterprets Yuna Kim's legendary 'Dance of Death' program into a ballet performance, with choreography and staging overseen by South Korea's renowned ballerina Kang Sue-jin.

Director Shin Woo-seok, who aimed to create a video where everyone could unleash their potential, explained the concept of 'Yuna Kim's Ballet Stage'. He said, "While pondering the role of AI in art, former national figure skating champion Yuna Kim came to mind. She is beloved by the nation, and even after retiring, she continues to receive affection and support. I thought people would miss her performances, and showcasing her in a new domain with the help of Google's Gemini would effectively demonstrate AI's role." He added, "Presenting a ballet performance as an advertisement was a significant challenge, reflecting my creative spirit."

The campaign also drew attention for its star-studded cast. Director Shin expressed his surprise and confidence in success when Yuna Kim, a legendary figure skater, decided to join. "It wasn't just a simple ad shoot; she had to challenge herself with ballet, a completely different genre, requiring her own practice and effort. I didn't expect her to accept," he said. "She was the model I most wanted to work with, and I'm thrilled to have fulfilled that wish with this project." He also mentioned that choosing Kang Sue-jin, former director of the National Ballet, to oversee the ballet was natural, as she is an iconic figure in South Korea's ballet scene and would greatly support Yuna Kim's ballet challenge.

Reflecting on the collaboration and filming process, Director Shin expressed gratitude to the cast. "Given her perfect performances as an athlete, I was confident she would deliver the best results," he said of Yuna Kim. "The moment I saw her movements in the practice room, I knew it was a success. Her captivating charm transcends genres." He also praised Yuna Kim's dedication, saying, "She was incredibly diligent on set, learning and practicing the choreography for this project." He thanked Kang Sue-jin for her expert guidance, acknowledging his own lack of ballet knowledge.

Director Shin Woo-seok, known for his immersive and visually stunning commercial content, received praise for his exceptional mise-en-scène and direction in this campaign. He stated, "I wanted to offer a different experience from watching a live performance by creating a video. Through the video, viewers can engage closely with the performers and observe movements from various angles. We included scenes where the spotlight shines on the performer from the stage's perspective."

The project, a strategic collaboration with Google, actively utilized AI throughout the ballet production process. Director Shin explained, "We used Gemini for ballet choreography, stage art, and costume design. It was instrumental in developing choreography concepts, generating ideas, and designing costumes and stage visuals. Gemini Live's camera sharing feature helped analyze and refine ballet movements." He noted that AI served as a creative tool for professionals, aiding in the overall vision.

In conclusion, Director Shin expressed his gratitude for the support of many experts, saying, "Without the National Ballet's collaboration, especially during the performance season, we couldn't have achieved this quality. It was a privilege to work with talented individuals in the ballet scene."

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr