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Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Drake fans can see the star with VIP access through one website
Drake is just a few short weeks away from finally hitting the UK - and fans have many options to get involved now. Drake may have only just announced his upcoming tour across the UK, but it's right around the corner. Beginning at the end of next month, the Hotline Bling star will be hitting the road through arenas around Great Britain for a week's worth of shows. The Canadian rapper, who is best known for such hits as One Dance, God's Plan and many more, will be arriving at Birmingham's Utilita Arena and Manchester's Co-op Live for a collective six shows. There, he'll entertain almost 20,000 people per evening. When tickets for the shows were released last month, however, many of them sold out in no time. As a result, plenty of fans have been left wanting. Thankfully, there is still a bounty of VIP and hospitality tickets available right now on Seat Unique. And they include such benefits as advanced entry, catering and drinking options, premium seats, and more. Here's the breakdown: How to buy Drake VIP tickets now Drake VIP tickets are available right now from Seat Unique. This website specialises in giving fans an experience like no other to complement their concert tickets. For Drake's shows, that means all sorts of goodies. From private lounge access, food and drink options, exclusive official merchandise, and more. Here's the link fans need to buy tickets below. Otherwise, the full package contents is listed below. SEAT UNIQUE - Buy Drake VIP and hospitality tickets here. AMP tickets Early entry prior to general admission Enter via private VIP entrance A located on North side of the venue Premium seats with amazing views looking directly at the stage on Level 2 Opportunity to pre-order food & drink or upgrade to table service Access to a variety of premium bars and dining options including AMP Restaurant Access to AMP Club pre and post show Hideaway tickets The Hideaway by Seat Unique is an exclusive lounge with added entertainment and perks to ensure you have an unforgettable experience Enjoy early access to the Arena before general admission Watch the concert from premium seats, located in Block 103 The lounge transforms into the Official Co-op Live Premium Afterparty post-show with live entertainment, dance floor and private DJ to keep the night going Thoughtfully designed in-lounge experiences to elevate your night, from interactive photo opportunities to exclusive keepsakes to take home Bespoke cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired food menu curated by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer available to purchase within the lounge Armand de Brignac and Moet Hennessy champagne available to purchase within the lounge Dedicated Seat Unique hosts throughout the evening A digital pre-information pack to assist with travel advice and any FAQs Lounge tickets Exclusive access to the VIP Lounge before, during and after the show Views of the stage from the VIP Lounge Premium seats on Level 2, located directly outside your VIP lounge Food and drinks available to purchase at the Arena Private Suite tickets Exclusive access to a 16-seater box Early entry prior to general admission Arrive through a private VIP entrance Luxurious interiors Private viewing platform with your own private dancefloor Private bar and dedicated host Premium seating directly outside your box Option to add on food & beverage packages Access to The Atrium Club pre and post-show viagogo and resale tickets Sites such as viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admittance to gigs. Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused. Otherwise, tickets are also readily available from resale websites, such as viagogo. These offer fans the chance to buy and sell tickets at their leisure, while focusing in on their most ideal seats. And, at the time of writing, some resale tickets are available right now for around £120 each. Here's the links: Drake - $OME $PECIAL $HOWS 4 UK 2025 Dates Sun Jul 20 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Mon Jul 21 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Weds Jul 23 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Fri Jul 25 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Sat Jul 26 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live Mon Jul 28 – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
The Province
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
Drake loses $1M bet, blames Bieber Curse for Maple Leafs' epic Game 7 loss
Rapper lost $1 million betting on Toronto to beat the Panthers Justin Bieber had a front-row seat as the Toronto Maple Leafs blew yet another Game 7. Photo by Justin Bieber / Instagram Heading into Sunday night's crucial Game 7, Drake went with his heart and bet big on the Toronto Maple Leafs to beat the Florida Panthers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Known for cursing teams he's supporting publicly (f or those unaware, the 'Drake Curse' emerged after an unscientific study determined that the teams the One Dance hitmaker supports have a tendency to lose) , the Toronto rapper asked his 142 million Instagram followers: 'Do I dare bet on Game 7 … I will let the people decide.' Drake attends the Maple Leafs-Bruins Game 4 at Scotiabank Arena on April 17, 2019. Photo by NHL / X The majority of the musician's admirers encouraged Drake to 'Fire It Up' and make the wager, with just 25% warning the five-time Grammy winner he was going to curse the Buds. A small number of fans (14%) suggested Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award winner should 'Bet on Florida to Reverse the Curse' (an interesting tactic he used when the Toronto Raptors faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 NBA Playoffs). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But Drake listened to his followers and plunked down $1 million on Toronto to beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, sharing a screengrab on his Instagram Story along with the caption, 'The people have spoken. LFG.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the Panthers trampled the Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 en route to another Eastern Conference final, Drake returned to social media to blame fellow pop star J ustin Bieber for the team's loss. Moments after the Leafs' defeat, Drake posted a simple two-word message to his Instagram Story : 'Bieber curse.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One person reminded him that he should have gambled on Florida, 'that way (you would be) happy (with) either outcome.' Dressed like a 'lobster roll,' Bieber, who's a lifelong Leafs fan, was joined by his wife Hailey as the couple sat behind the team's bench Sunday night. 'I'm a slut for these boys,' the fur hat-wearing Bieber wrote, captioning a series of photos and videos from Game 7, including one of Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. TNT's Kenny Albert called Bieber 'one of the biggest Maple Leafs fans' when the singer was shown on Sunday night's broadcast. Other fans said his appearance was a distraction. But as he bopped along in the stands, Bieber had a front-row seat to watch as the team unravelled yet again, losing its seventh consecutive Game 7. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With the trouncing, Toronto's NHL Playoff appearances continue to be a case study in futility. The team hasn't made a trip to the conference finals since 2002 or won a Stanley Cup since 1967. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bieber has never been shy about his Leafs fandom, and after repeated heartbreak in the NHL Playoffs, the pop star proudly predicted Toronto would be hoisting the Stanley Cup this June. Following Toronto's Game 1 victory against Florida, Bieber shared a collection of Maple Leaf logos and captioned his slideshow, 'New series starts tonight. This is the yearski.' After the Leafs edged out Florida 5-4 to take Game 1, the two-time Grammy winner returned to Instagram to celebrate. Lounging on a couch, the Stratford, Ont. native nodded along as the players gathered around substitute goalie Joseph Woll, who stopped 17 shots in relief after goaltender Anthony Stolarz took a shot to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '1 down @mapleleafs,' Bieber wrote alongside the short clip. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bieber was quiet during Toronto's first-round series against the Ottawa Senators, whom the squad beat in six games. But periodically o ver the years, the Peaches singer , who is pals with Matthews, has fearlessly cheered on Toronto on social media. His 2021 song Hold On ( a track he said was a 'love letter to the Maple Leafs') was dedicated to the players and he even co-designed one of the Leafs' alternate 'Next Gen' jerseys. During the pandemic-shortened NHL season back in 2021, the London, Ont.-born pop star took his fandom to a whole new level when he picked the Leafs to win the Stanley Cup. Bieber regularly posted about the Leafs that season on his Instagram, but after the club blew a 3-1 series lead to lose in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens, some fans wondered if the singer had jinxed the team by his overzealous boasting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prior to that series, Bieber was spotted on the Jumbotron during a Game 6 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals back in 2016. In 2019, Leafs fans blamed Bieber and Drake — who were spotted cheering on the team in person throughout the series — following the team's Game 7 exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins, prompting then-Leafs coach Mike Babcock to weigh in on allegations of a curse. 'I've heard lots of things since I've come here,' Babcock said at the time. 'But that's one of the craziest things. The game is played on the ice by us. There's no curse whatsoever.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the 2021 debacle, Bieber kept his Leafs social media mentions to a minimum. But the father of one did manage to pop up in person at Scotiabank Arena once in a while, most notably dressed as 'Willy Wonka' during a December 2022 tilt against the Los Angeles Kings. Pop star Justin Bieber cheers on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena during a rout of the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Dec. 8. Photo by Toronto Maple Leafs / Twitter During one surprise appearance in 2023, Drake spotted Bieber's social media post and playfully asked why he wasn't invited to tag along. Bieber was also a celebrity coach during the 2024 All-Star Game, in which he led Team Matthews to victory over Team McDavid. After leading the Atlantic Division with a 52-26-4 record, the Leafs now face a long offseason of uncertainty. But Bieber will continue to cheer on the lineup. As he left the arena, he shared a carousel of photos of himself and Hailey kissing . This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ' I don't remember a time in my life when I haven't been obsessed with the leafsssss,' he wrote. 'This year we made it farther than we have in so long and I'm happy about that. I can be patient cuz I know this is the team to do it.' Meanwhile, Drake might want to think twice before he places a bet on any other teams during the NHL Playoffs. Last June, the rhymester bet $500,000 on the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. But the Juno winner saw that money vanish when the Panthers won Game 7, 2-1. Drake also saw $500,000 flutter away when he laid odds on the Dallas Mavericks to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. mdaniell@ Read More Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports Sports News
Toronto Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Drake loses $1M bet, blames Bieber Curse for Maple Leafs' epic Game 7 loss
Rapper lost $1 million betting on Toronto to beat the Panthers Get the latest from Mark Daniell straight to your inbox Justin Bieber had a front-row seat as the Toronto Maple Leafs blew yet another Game 7. Photo by Justin Bieber / Instagram Heading into Sunday night's crucial Game 7, Drake went with his heart and bet big on the Toronto Maple Leafs to beat the Florida Panthers. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Known for cursing teams he's supporting publicly (f or those unaware, the 'Drake Curse' emerged after an unscientific study determined that the teams the One Dance hitmaker supports have a tendency to lose) , the Toronto rapper asked his 142 million Instagram followers: 'Do I dare bet on Game 7 … I will let the people decide.' Drake attends the Maple Leafs-Bruins Game 4 at Scotiabank Arena on April 17, 2019. Photo by NHL / X The majority of the musician's admirers encouraged Drake to 'Fire It Up' and make the wager, with just 25% warning the five-time Grammy winner he was going to curse the Buds. A small number of fans (14%) suggested Billboard's Artist of the Decade Award winner should 'Bet on Florida to Reverse the Curse' (an interesting tactic he used when the Toronto Raptors faced the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 NBA Playoffs). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But Drake listened to his followers and plunked down $1 million on Toronto to beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers, sharing a screengrab on his Instagram Story along with the caption, 'The people have spoken. LFG.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the Panthers trampled the Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 7 en route to another Eastern Conference final, Drake returned to social media to blame fellow pop star J ustin Bieber for the team's loss. Moments after the Leafs' defeat, Drake returned to social media with a simple two-word message: 'Bieber curse.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One person reminded him that he should have gambled on Florida, 'that way (you would be) happy (with) either outcome.' Dressed like a 'lobster roll,' Bieber, who's a lifelong Leafs fan, was joined by his wife Hailey as the couple sat behind the team's bench Sunday night. 'I'm a slut for these boys,' the fur hat-wearing Bieber wrote, captioning a series of photos and videos from Game 7, including one of Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. TNT's Kenny Albert called Bieber 'one of the biggest Maple Leafs fans' when the singer was shown on Sunday night's broadcast. Other fans said his appearance was a distraction. But as he bopped along in the stands, Bieber had a front-row seat to watch as the team unravelled yet again, losing its seventh consecutive Game 7. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. With the trouncing, Toronto's NHL Playoff appearances continue to be a case study in futility. The team haven't made a trip to the conference finals since 2002 or won a Stanley Cup since 1967. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bieber has never been shy about his Leafs fandom, and after repeated heartbreak in the NHL Playoffs, the pop star proudly predicted Toronto would be hoisting the Stanley Cup this June. Following Toronto's Game 1 victory against Florida, Bieber shared a collection of Maple Leaf logos and captioned his slideshow, 'New series starts tonight. This is the yearski.' After the Leafs edged out Florida 5-4 to take Game 1, the two-time Grammy winner returned to Instagram to celebrate. Lounging on a couch, the Stratford, Ont. native nodded along as the players gathered around substitute goalie Joseph Woll, who stopped 17 shots in relief after goaltender Anthony Stolarz took a shot to the head from Panthers forward Sam Bennett. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. '1 down @mapleleafs,' Bieber wrote alongside the short clip. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Bieber was quiet during Toronto's first-round series against the Ottawa Senators, whom the squad beat in six games. But periodically o ver the years, the Peaches singer , who is pals with Matthews, has fearlessly cheered on Toronto on social media. His 2021 song Hold On ( a track he said was a 'love letter to the Maple Leafs') was dedicated to the players and he even co-designed one of the Leafs' alternate 'Next Gen' jerseys. During the pandemic-shortened NHL season back in 2021, the London, Ont.-born pop star took his fandom to a whole new level when he picked the Leafs to win the Stanley Cup. Bieber regularly posted about the Leafs that season on his Instagram, but after the club blew a 3-1 series lead to lose in the first round against the Montreal Canadiens, some fans wondered if the singer had jinxed the team by his overzealous boasting. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Prior to that series, Bieber was spotted on the Jumbotron during a Game 6 defeat at the hands of the Washington Capitals back in 2016. In 2019, Leafs fans blamed Bieber and Drake — who were spotted cheering on the team in person throughout the series — following the team's Game 7 exit at the hands of the Boston Bruins, prompting then-Leafs coach Mike Babcock to weigh in on allegations of a curse. 'I've heard lots of things since I've come here,' Babcock said at the time. 'But that's one of the craziest things. The game is played on the ice by us. There's no curse whatsoever.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After the 2021 debacle, Bieber kept his Leafs social media mentions to a minimum. But the father of one did manage to pop up in person at Scotiabank Arena once in a while, most notably dressed as 'Willy Wonka' during a December 2022 tilt against the Los Angeles Kings. Pop star Justin Bieber cheers on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena during a rout of the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, Dec. 8. Photo by Toronto Maple Leafs / Twitter During one surprise appearance in 2023, Drake spotted Bieber's social media post and playfully asked why he wasn't invited to tag along. Bieber was also a celebrity coach during the 2024 All-Star Game, in which he led Team Matthews to victory over Team McDavid. After leading the Atlantic Division with a 52-26-4 record, the Leafs now face a long offseason of uncertainty. But Bieber will continue to cheer on the lineup. As he left the arena, he shared a carousel of photos of himself and Hailey kissing . This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ' I don't remember a time in my life when I haven't been obsessed with the leafsssss,' he wrote. 'This year we made it farther than we have in so long and I'm happy about that. I can be patient cuz I know this is the team to do it.' Meanwhile, Drake might want to think twice before he places a bet on any other teams during the NHL Playoffs. Last June, the rhymester bet $500,000 on the Edmonton Oilers to win the Stanley Cup. But the Juno winner saw that money vanish when the Panthers won Game 7, 2-1. Drake also saw $500,000 flutter away when he laid odds on the Dallas Mavericks to beat the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals. mdaniell@ Read More
Korea Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Did Simcheong truly want to give herself up for her father? 'Pure Heart' asks
With dreamlike underwater realm, fresh emotional lens, latest Simcheong story brings new depth to beloved folktale At the prow of a boat amid crashing waves, a small girl plunges into a vast ocean. The iconic scene of Korean folktale "Simcheong" is the epitome of filial devotion: The girl casts herself into the Indangsu Sea to restore her blind father's sight. In 'Pure Heart,' the National Jeongdong Theater's latest reinterpretation of this age-old tale, Simcheong awakens after plunging into the shadowy abyss not in darkness or deep blue, but in soft pink light and waves, in a glowing, luminous undersea realm. The Dragon Queen — not the Dragon King of the original tale — gently lifts and welcomes Simcheong. Dressed in flowing robes of rose and blush and holding a lotus-shaped fan, a court of handmaidens circles her in synchronized harmony. There is no suffering here, no sorrow, no pain. Simcheong beams and leaps lightly across the stage — radiant, embraced by this new, gentle world. Directed by Jung Ku-ho and choreographed by Jeong Hye-jin — the creative team behind sold-out success 'One Dance' — 'Pure Heart' is a dance drama that strips back the traditional narrative to focus on Simcheong's emotional journey. 'We wanted the sea to feel like a place of warmth and welcome (to Simcheong). And we wanted to give her that motherly love she had long been missing," Jung said during a press conference on Thursday, adding that the Dragon Queen serves as a maternal figure for Simcheong, who lost her own mother at birth. 'We asked ourselves: How do we remake this folktale in a way that feels different and fresh?' said Jung, a fashion designer-turned-creative director known for visually striking interpretations of Korean tradition in works like 'The Banquet' and 'Scent of Ink,' both rare sold-out successes in the Korean dance scene. 'We chose to follow Simcheong's emotions closely,' he added. So rather than beginning with her childhood, the performance opens on the night before her sacrifice. On a sparse stage, Simcheong wrestles with her decision. Her inner doubts take form as a shadowy double in black, echoing her hesitation and fear. 'Even if filial duty was considered absolute in the past, would Simcheong truly have been content to give herself up?' Jung mused. 'We wanted to separate her outward actions from her inner voice — and follow that voice, too. Every scene is selected based on Simcheong's emotional perspective, with minimal storytelling.' Veteran screen actor Chae Shi-ra makes her stage dance debut as the Dragon Queen, leading a nearly 15-minute sequence of graceful, sweeping movement. Dressed in flowing pastel silks, Chae anchors the fantasy with elegance and gentleness. 'I never imagined the word 'dancer' would be attached to my name,' Chae said, laughing. 'This felt like training for a new profession. The rehearsal process was grueling — I'd call it more training than practice. Choreographer Jeong (Hye-jin) worked tirelessly to guide me.' If Act II is a dream, Act III returns to solid ground. Here, Simcheong is brought back to life and rewarded with royal marriage. The final act is a visual homage to Korean heritage, featuring costumes inspired by 1920s royal court dress and stylized interpretations of state ceremonies. 'Each act has its own tone and texture,' said choreographer Jeong. 'Because the narrative is carried almost entirely through dance, the costumes and visual language had to be expressive. In the final act, we wanted to highlight the beauty of Korean tradition, blending historical references with a modern sensibility.' 'Pure Heart' runs from Thursday to June 28 at the Jeongdong Theater, with 50 performances by two alternating casts scheduled over two months — an unprecedented run for a national performing arts company in Korea. 'We believe traditional performances can resonate with contemporary audiences — and with international visitors as well. I hope a longer run gives more people the chance to see it,' said Jeongdong Theater CEO Choung Soung-sook. hwangdh@
Korea Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
With dreamlike underwater realm, fresh emotional lens, latest Simcheong story brings new depth to beloved folktale
Jeongdong Theater dance production 'Pure Heart' runs until June 28 At the prow of a boat amid crashing waves, a small girl plunges into a vast ocean. The iconic scene of Korean folktale "Simcheong" is the epitome of filial devotion: The girl casts herself into the Indangsu Sea to restore her blind father's sight. In 'Pure Heart,' the National Jeongdong Theater's latest reinterpretation of this age-old tale, after plunging into the shadowy abyss Simcheong awakens not in darkness or deep blue, but in soft pink light and waves, in a glowing, luminous undersea realm. The Dragon Queen — not the Dragon King of the original tale — gently lifts and welcomes Simcheong. Dressed in flowing robes of rose and blush and holding a a lotus-shaped fan, a court of handmaidens circles her in synchronized harmony. There is no suffering here, no sorrow, no pain. Simcheong beams and leaps lightly across the stage — radiant, embraced by this new, gentle world. Directed by Jung Ku-ho and choreographed by Jeong Hye-jin — the creative team behind sold-out success 'One Dance' — 'Pure Heart' is a dance drama that strips back the traditional narrative to focus on Simcheong's emotional journey. 'We wanted the sea to feel like a place of warmth and welcome (to Simcheong). And we wanted to give her that motherly love she had long been missing," Jung said during a press conference on Thursday, adding that the Dragon Queen serves as a maternal figure for Simcheong, who lost her own mother at birth. 'We asked ourselves: How do we remake this folktale in a way that feels different and fresh?' said Jung, a fashion designer-turned-creative director known for visually striking interpretations of Korean tradition in works like 'The Banquet' and 'Scent of Ink,' both rare sold-out successes in the Korean dance scene. 'We chose to follow Simcheong's emotions closely,' he added. So rather than beginning with her childhood, the performance opens on the night before her sacrifice. On a sparse stage, Simcheong wrestles with her decision. Her inner doubts take form as a shadowy double in black, echoing her hesitation and fear. 'Even if filial duty was considered absolute in the past, would Simcheong truly have been content to give herself up?' Jung mused. 'We wanted to separate her outward actions from her inner voice — and follow that voice, too. Every scene is selected based on Simcheong's emotional perspective, with minimal storytelling.' Veteran screen actor Chae Shi-ra makes her stage dance debut as the Dragon Queen, leading a nearly 15-minute sequence of graceful, sweeping movement. Dressed in flowing pastel silks, Chae anchors the fantasy with elegance and gentleness. 'I never imagined the word 'dancer' would be attached to my name,' Chae said, laughing. 'This felt like training for a new profession. The rehearsal process was grueling — I'd call it more training than practice. Choreographer Jeong (Hye-jin) worked tirelessly to guide me.' If Act II is a dream, Act III returns to solid ground. Here, Simcheong is brought back to life and rewarded with royal marriage. The final act is a visual homage to Korean heritage, featuring costumes inspired by 1920s royal court dress and stylized interpretations of state ceremonies. 'Each act has its own tone and texture,' said choreographer Jeong. 'Because the narrative is carried almost entirely through dance, the costumes and visual language had to be expressive. In the final act, we wanted to highlight the beauty of Korean tradition, blending historical references with a modern sensibility.' 'Pure Heart' runs from Thursday to June 28 at the Jeongdong Theater, with 50 performances by two alternating casts scheduled over two months — an unprecedented run for a national performing arts company in Korea. 'We believe traditional performances can resonate with contemporary audiences — and with international visitors as well. I hope a longer run gives more people the chance to see it,' said Jeongdong Theater CEO Choung Soung-sook.
