Human Encounters Are Cosmic Encounters, Play 'Bamimyeon Naneun Ujuro Ganda'

June 5-20 at Mapo Art Center Playmac

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The Mapo Cultural Foundation and the performance group Gongsangjipdan Ddungttanji will stage the play "At Night, I Go to the Universe" at Mapo Art Center PlayMAC from June 5 to 20.

The performance will operate with socially distanced seating in accordance with government COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Audience members can enter the venue only after temperature checks, identity verification via QR code, and completing an electronic health questionnaire.

"At Night, I Go to the Universe" is the first work presented by Hwang I-seon, the new artistic director of Gongsangjipdan Ddungttanji. Moon Sam-hwa, who led the troupe for 12 years since 2008, will be moving to the position of director of the Seoul City Theater.

"At Night, I Go to the Universe" is a newly created original play by director Hwang I-seon, marking her first presentation to audiences in four years since "Finding Alice" (2016).

"At Night, I Go to the Universe" is an omnibus play composed of four episodes based on the perspective that encounters between people are like encounters between universes. Set against the backdrop of a universe on the brink of planetary collision, it consists of three episodes depicting the moments just before the collision and one episode telling the story after the collision. Each episode warmly explores human relationships.

Director Hwang I-seon stated, "The countless encounters and relationships we experience in life can sometimes feel overwhelming. Through this performance, I wanted to create a time for us to heal and embrace the wounds caused by relationship pollution ourselves." The cast includes Koo Do-gyun, Kim Si-young, Kim Tae-wan, Kim Hyun-jin, Noh Jun-young, Moon Seung-bae, Park Young-gi, Park Ji-eun, Shim Tae-young, Oh Yoon-jung, Oh Jae-gyun, Yoon Kwang-hee, Lee In-seok, and Jo Hyung-il.

Gongsangjipdan Ddungttanji has collaborated with Mapo Art Center since 2018 through the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture’s resident troupe support program, presenting various works such as "Hello, Arabal," "Husanbu Dong-gu," "Lions of the Street," "Rhinoceros," and the family musical "Aesop's Fables." Following "At Night, I Go to the Universe," they will stage the family musical "Aesop's Fables" again in July and showcase innovative works by emerging directors through their "Studio Project."

Tickets for "At Night, I Go to the Universe" can be reserved through the Mapo Art Center website and Interpark Ticket, and admission is allowed for ages 12 and above.