Stories of Youth in Japan's Bubble Economy Era, Play 'Nanpokgwa Daegi'

Performance at Daehangno Seondol Theater from March 27 to April 5

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The play "Rampage and Atmosphere," which tells the story of Generation Zero youth who grew up during Japan's bubble economy era, will be performed at Seondol Theater in Daehak-ro from March 27 to April 5.

The spatial setting of the play is the house where Hidenori and Nanase live together, neither siblings nor lovers. Hidenori has not smiled once in six years. Nanase spends each day diligently preparing something for Hidenori. One day, Banjo, a junior colleague of Hidenori, visits the house. Banjo feels a strange interest in Nanase upon their first meeting. To get closer to Nanase, Banjo introduces his girlfriend Azusa and begins to uncover the relationship between Hidenori and Nanase.

"Rampage and Atmosphere" goes beyond the peculiar and quirky love story of four unique characters to depict selfishness stemming from individualistic tendencies and awkward communication caused by disconnected human relationships.

The characters in the play resemble the Korean n-po generation youth who live having given up many things due to economic and social pressures. The weight of responsibility that young people must bear alone in harsh social and economic conditions is growing heavier. More young people are choosing to give up rather than endure the burden of responsibility. They have come to distrust society and have caused a breakdown in human relationships. This has led to the increase of single-person households and the collapse of families. With the collapse of the family, the smallest unit of human relationships, there is no place to learn how to communicate, and unexpressed desires and emotions are expressed awkwardly and immaturely.

The sense of emptiness felt by young people who find it difficult to make any choices and the awkward communication arising from individualistic tendencies are portrayed in a strange and quirky way within the play.

"Rampage and Atmosphere" is based on a play by Japanese playwright and director Motoya Yukiko. In Japan, after the theatrical performance, a novel was published and a film was also made. The newcomer director Gok Su-in of the theater company Project Island directs the play, starring Lee Seung-woo, Jung Sun-mi, Choi Min-young, Kim Soo-young, Jung Young-rok, and Yoon Hyuk-jin.