Q. When you think of ballerina, what comes to your mind first?
-Maybe we think they don't live a normal life and acquire self-control through blood, sweat and tears. However, I met Jae Yong Oem and he is a normal young guy who loves ballet. I interviewed him about his worry as a ballerina and his story of passion for life and ballet.

Q. I'm wondering what the importance of being top dancer is in the Universal Ballet.
-The Universal Ballet is the best ballet group within the national ballet. After entering here, I have been taking one step at a time until finally I have become the top dancer. The top dancer usually performs a role like the main character, the biggest one in a play, so therefore the most important.

Q. You are already doing well as a top dancer, but why did you come back to school again to study?
First of all, I don't have a degree in dance so I would like to study in my major. I knew Prof. Young, Mun very well before I came to Kookmin University. I like his passion for ballet so I want to be his student. Because of this I entered Kookmin University. I'm already doing well as a professional dancer and many people like me sometimes, so studying now with students is very interesting for me. I appreciate the chance to be a student again here.

Q. When we think of 'the effort of a ballerina', we think of Soo Jin Kang's injured foot. How much do you practice?
-Usually, I practice ballet from 11 AM to 6 PM. When I prepare for a performance, in addition to this I need 2- 3 weeks of practice time. If I get a new routine I need more practice time, like maybe a month. I'm planning to perform 'Onegin' in November but I can't practice enough to be satisfied with myself because of my injury.

Q. You have an ankle injury; I think this may give you a hard time.
- As a dancer, an injury is the hardest thing. In my life I only know ballet, but suddenly one day when I got the injury I wanted to give it up because it disrupted everything. This thought to give up ballet gripped me because of the injury. I always hope never to get an injury. However, I think an injury may be like a friend to a dancer, because it makes him reflect upon his life.

Q. There is a talent for using our body like ballet and sports. When you think about it, which is more important, talent or effort?
-For a dancer, having talent is very important. It's true that talent helps to become what you really want. Surely, if you perform only as a hobby, your goal is not be a top dancer. Physical characteristics are not as important as putting forth a good effort. For example, a person who has long arms and legs is better than one who doesn’t, but you cannot be perfect without effort. I believe nothing is possible without effort. So let me stress that effort is the biggest part of being a great dancer.

Q. Recently, after the movie 'Black Swan' became a big hit, many people changed their thoughts about dancers, especially ballerinas.
-I was interested in ballet when I was young because my mom was a ballet professor but most people think ballet is art far removed from our lives. When someone would ask me: “What’s your job?” and I would say: “I'm a dancer,” in the past their reaction was not very good, but now it's getting better. Some people respond that it's unique, nice and impressive.

Q. There are still many people who haven’t experienced ballet. I'm one of them (smiling). Can you recommend some shows for people who will see it for the first time?
-First of all, let me introduce the show for everyone. I recommend 'The Nutcracker,’ a Christmas ballet. In this showcase, the whole family can watch together. I think it's better to gain exposure starting from the easy to the more difficult ones.

Q. I saw Universal Ballet in a watcher tour from the Korean TV show 'One Night and Two Days'. How did you enter it?
- I registered for it. I wanted to make a special memory and be included in the group so I registered for it by myself. Luckily they chose us.

Q. Members of the group showed a hard performance in this program; I think you guys needed to rely on each other to perform those things.
-Yes, of course, there is a sole stage but it is important to have harmony with the other members. I think that is the most important thing. After we were aired on the program, I'm happy to get along with them even more. That was a great experience for achieving cooperation.

Q. One day if someone, including a Kookmin University student, wanted to be a top dancer like you, could you give him or her some advice?
- I said it many times in other interviews. Ballet is a breath to me. I couldn't live without ballet because of breathing with ballet. If you are a ballerina, your life must be full of ballet. Although you may have a hard time because of an injury, you should have positive thinking and confidence. However, too much confidence is dangerous. (Smile) I hope you can have confidence without being vain.

He said his final dream is to be a leader of a ballet group and an art director. After hearing his story, I think giving an effort for something that I am good at is a kind of talent. He can't image himself without ballet because this is the only thing that he is good at. After the interview, I'm planning to go watch his performance 'Onegin‘. In November, I hope his passion towards his favorite thing will spread to many people.