[Review] They Say Watching Fights Is the Most Fun Thing in the World

Play 'Uri Norebang Gaseo Yaegi Jom Halkka?'

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] It is said that the most entertaining things in the world are watching fire and watching fights. Since it’s impossible to set fire on stage, the play “Shall We Go to Our Karaoke and Talk?” properly shows why watching fights is so entertaining.

The fighters come in various weight classes. It starts with a fight between father and son, then fights between young lovers, fights among young female friends, and even fights with oneself. Watching these repeated fights makes one think that life is ultimately a continuous series of battles. If you think about it, even choosing between jajangmyeon and jjambbong can be seen as an intense internal struggle.

In this endless series of fights called life, this play shows that what might seem like a sudden misstep can unexpectedly become a clever move that untangles the knots of a complicated life. It’s not just two hours of mindless laughter; it properly reflects a facet of our lives, so while you can simply laugh it off lightly, it also leaves a subtle lingering impression beyond that.

Performance scene from the play 'Shall We Go to Our Karaoke Room and Talk?' From the left, Yoon Seok-hyun, Jin Sun-gyu.
Photo by Gongyongbaedal Service Ganda

One of the charms of this play is that the actors playing the father and mother actually portray two different characters each. Just like in life, where we all have to play various roles depending on the situation.

The father shows a fierce and aggressive side when arguing with his son, asserting his opinions strongly, but in front of the woman he plans to remarry, he is overflowing with consideration and shows an exceptionally warm side. The mother, who lost her husband, acts coquettishly with a sweet voice in front of the man she is considering remarrying, but in front of her friends of 20 years, she shows a completely different voice and another self.

The performances of the two actresses who play dual roles?first as the daughter’s friend and then as the mother’s friend?are also flavorful. They can be considered the practical protagonists who truly showcase the charm of this play.

The role of the karaoke owner is also interesting. He freely moves in and out of the play’s world. The play begins with the karaoke owner mopping the floor, but suddenly he throws down the mop and vents his dissatisfaction with the direction to the audience. He says something absurd like the floor needs to be wet so the audience can feel as comfortable as when they were in their mother’s womb. No one understands him, but he expresses contempt for the so-called artists who claim to be artistic, saying he hates them the most, which causes laughter in the audience.

Performance scene from the play 'Shall We Go to Our Karaoke and Talk?' From left: Han Surim, Jung Seona, Lee Jihae, Jung Yeon.
Photo by Gongyongbaedal Service Ganda

In this way, the karaoke owner plays a supporting role that adds fun to the play by sometimes stepping out of his character to speak directly to the audience. Watching the various fights that happen inside the karaoke room, he shares his impressions and even gives advice to the audience after each fight ends. This gives him a godlike presence, as if observing the human figures trapped within the karaoke space.

Because of this fantasy-like aspect of the karaoke owner, the direction that portrays the karaoke bathroom as a playground also has a peculiar persuasiveness. Whenever the actors experience emotional changes, they say they are going to the bathroom and head to the playground behind the stage. They play on the seesaw, cloud bridge, and swing in order, releasing whatever has been bottled up inside.

The karaoke owner asks the audience, “Did you know that if you go to the playground at night, there are far more adults lost in their worries alone than children?”

Another attraction of this play is that you can listen live to songs filled with the emotions of the roles each actor plays.