The Agony of Geumbudosa Who Delivered the Poisoned Wine to Danjong, Changgeuk 'Abi, Bangyeon' Reprised After 5 Years

National Changgeuk Company to Perform at National Theater's Daloreum Theater from Next Month 6 to 15

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The changgeuk (traditional Korean opera) "Abi, Bangyeon," featuring Geumbu Dosa 'Wang Bang-yeon,' who was tasked with delivering poison to King Danjong, the 6th king of Joseon, is returning to the stage after five years.

The National Changgeuk Company, the resident troupe of the National Theater of Korea, announced on the 14th that the repertory piece "Abi. Bangyeon" will be performed from the 6th to the 15th of next month at the Daloreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea.

"Abi. Bangyeon" is a changgeuk that deals with the tragedy of Danjong in the early Joseon period and premiered in 2015. At the time of its premiere, it attracted attention as a faction changgeuk that added fiction to historical facts.

The protagonist, Wang Bang-yeon, was a real historical figure who, during the Gyeyujeongnan (the coup by Grand Prince Suyang) in early Joseon, escorted Danjong to exile in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, and was tasked with delivering poison to Danjong during his exile. Despite the gravity of his duties, no historical records provide his birth or death dates, and his name appears only once in the Annals of King Sukjong. Another record, the Jangneungji, preserves a sijo (traditional Korean poem) left by the Geumbu Dosa who escorted Danjong to Yeongwol. The sijo left by Wang Bang-yeon contains loyalty to Danjong, which contrasts with the mission he carried out.

"On a distant road of ten thousand li, I parted from my beloved / With nowhere to place my heart, I sat by the stream / That water should be like me, crying through the night on the path home."

"Abi. Bangyeon" began from the writer's curiosity about why Wang Bang-yeon, a loyal Geumbu Dosa of Danjong, had no choice but to carry poison. Why did Wang Bang-yeon have to make a choice against his will? Writer Han Areum, adding artistic imagination to actual history, completed the tragedy of Wang Bang-yeon, who betrayed his lord to save his daughter. Wang Bang-yeon's tragedy, who had no choice but to break his beliefs for his child, draws empathy from the audience as the story of an ordinary father.

'Abi, Bangyeon' 2015 Performance Scene [Photo by National Theater]

"Abi, Bangyeon" is the second work created by the National Changgeuk Company with director Seo Jae-hyung, writer Han Areum, and composer Hwang Ho-jun, following the changgeuk "Medea," showcasing the potential of changgeuk as a new form of musical theater.

The production team, reunited for this revival, plans to deliver a more complete story through revisions and improvements while maintaining the overall flow of the work.

Writer Han Areum refined the language and changed some parts that were originally expressed through dialogue into lyrics to heighten dramatic tension. Composer Hwang Ho-jun, who is in charge of composition, arrangement, and music direction, newly composed music for the added lyrics and rearranged the entire score to fit the changed casting. There are also changes in instrumental arrangement. While the premiere featured an exotic combination of geomungo, the Mongolian traditional string instrument matouqin, and various woodwinds, the revival will add daegeum and ajaeng to emphasize the color of traditional melodies. Work is also underway to enhance the completeness of stage art, including lighting, video, and costumes. Notably, lighting designer Min Kyung-soo, known for musicals such as "Frankenstein" and "Ben-Hur," has newly joined the team.

Choi Ho-sung of the National Changgeuk Company, playing the protagonist Wang Bang-yeon, and guest actor Park Ji-hyun, playing Wang Bang-yeon's daughter Sosa, reunite as father and daughter after five years. Park Ji-hyun, who was 12 years old at the premiere, has honed her skills majoring in pansori at the National Traditional Arts Middle and High School and is expected to showcase her uniquely tender voice and more solid singing. Kim Geum-mi of the National Changgeuk Company anchors the story's weight as Dochang, leading the narrative. Kim Geum-mi and Park Ji-hyun, who plays Sosa, are real-life mother and daughter.

Female actor Min Eun-kyung will portray Danjong, delivering delicate inner acting. Other National Changgeuk Company members appearing include Kim Jun-su (Grand Prince Suyang), Lee Si-ung (Han Myeong-hoe), Lee Kwang-bok (Song Seok-dong), and Yoo Tae-pyung-yang (Seong Sam-mun).

Director Seo Jae-hyung said, "Although Bang-yeon, who raised his daughter alone, is written as 'Abi' (father), I wonder if it could also be read as 'parents.' We are preparing the performance while sharing expanded thoughts about 'Abi' with the people involved. I hope these efforts will be conveyed and broaden the audience's empathy."