[Deputy Editor's Column] The 'Year of Theater' Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of 5·18

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The year 2020 has been designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as the "Year of Theater." It is a meaningful year as the National Theater Company celebrates its 70th anniversary. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. The Year of Theater coinciding with the 40th anniversary of May 18 carries an inexplicable profound resonance.

The play "The Uncomfortable Distance Between You and Me," which opened on the 8th at Dongsung Stage Small Theater in Daehangno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, features a middle-aged man suffering from May 18 trauma as the protagonist. The protagonist lost his father during the May 18 event. Tormented by trauma, he dreams of taking revenge on his middle school history teacher, a senior soldier who bullied him during his military service, and a critic who harshly reviewed his first film.

The method of revenge is quite violent. Even considering the trauma he carries, one might wonder if it is necessary to go that far. The protagonist, who responds to violence with violence, appears pathetic and pitiful. His wife's infidelity overlaps with the brutal violence. The play unfolds in an extremely uncomfortable manner.

However, the play presents a strange twist at the end. Only then does the direction make it understandable why the protagonist was portrayed as such a pitiful and pathetic character, and why violence and infidelity were addressed. At the same time, it offers food for thought about people wounded by certain kinds of violence.

Theater sprouted in Greece, where democratic politics blossomed. It is said that "Greek tragedy" began around the 5th century BC during festivals praising Dionysus. The Greek agora, the square where Greeks watched plays, was a place for debate and the starting point of democratic politics. Perhaps theater inherently came to discuss politics and, further, human rights.

A director shared this insight: "Theater is an art form that is difficult to censor. In the case of film, if you don't like something, you can cut the film. But in theater, actors can simply say what they want through their lines on stage."

This year, there seems to be an unusually large number of plays dealing with politics and human rights. However, it will not be limited to the theater stage alone.

The M Ballet Company performed "May Wind," set in the 1980s, on the 11th and 12th. On the 22nd of next month, the original musical "Spring to You," set in 1987 and depicting the June Democratic Uprising that led to the direct presidential election system, will open. The Seoul Youth Gugak Orchestra will reexamine the history of democratization in May with "When the Wind Blows, I Know It's You."

My only hope is to watch and listen to many works without great ambition and to learn a lot.