National Gugak Center's Representative Performance of the Year, Changgeuk 'Chunhyangjeon - Waiting for Mongryong' Premieres in Seoul
[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The year’s flagship performance of the National Gugak Center located in Namwon, the city of Chunhyang, the changgeuk (Korean traditional opera) ‘Chunhyangjeon ? Waiting for Mongryong’ will premiere on the stage of the National Gugak Center’s Yeaakdang in Seoul.
The National Gugak Center announced on the 15th that it will perform the changgeuk ‘Chunhyangjeon ? Waiting for Mongryong’ at the National Gugak Center’s Yeaakdang on the 23rd at 7:30 PM and on the 24th at 3 PM.
The National Gugak Center is the only institution among the national gugak centers located in various regions (Namwon, Jindo, Busan) that operates a changgeuk troupe. Since its opening in 1992, it has produced various changgeuk works and held a total of 385 performances over more than 30 years.
In particular, the changgeuk ‘Chunhyangjeon’ produced by the National Gugak Center has been presented nationwide in 14 different productions with a total of 225 performances since 1997. This year, the changgeuk ‘Chunhyangjeon’ will highlight the original charm of the classic work, starting with its Seoul National Gugak Center premiere and later serving as the opening work for the ‘3rd Korea Pan Nolum’ to be held in Namwon in June.
Unlike recently modernized changgeuk productions that incorporate dazzling visuals and advanced stage technology, this work focuses on conveying the inherent charm of changgeuk itself. Centered on pansori and the narrative structure of ‘Chunhyangjeon,’ it tells the love story of Chunhyang and Mongryong who overcome social status barriers, delivering a profound message of resonance and comfort to our society, which is rife with conflict, confrontation, and absurdity.
Musically, it maximizes the use of pansori suseong melodies to allow audiences to experience the unembellished skills of the vocalists for each role. Traditional methods are also preserved in the use of stage art, props, and costumes.
However, to add dramatic interest, the gisaeng (female entertainers) who were portrayed as low-status figures in Chunhyangjeon are set as dochang (narrator singers). Six gisaeng lead the play, conveying the value of great love that transcends social class and the meaning of an equal relationship without discrimination through their singing and storytelling.
The main roles are passionately performed by the National Gugak Center’s representative vocalists: Jung Seunghee as Chunhyang, Go Junseok as Mongryong, Park Eunseon as Hyangdan, Lim Jaehyun as Bangja, Choi Youngran as Wolmae, and Jung Minyoung as Byeonsatto.
Artistic director Ryu Gihyung of the National Gugak Center personally took charge of the script and direction, with music composition by Professor Lee Taebaek of Mokwon University’s Department of Korean Music, and choreography newly arranged by Professor Chae Hyangsoon of Chung-Ang University’s College of Arts, Department of Performance and Visual Creation, Dance Major.
Wang Giseok, director of the National Gugak Center, said, “This performance will offer some comfort and hope to your body and mind weary from COVID-19,” adding, “Through this performance, the National Gugak Center will strengthen its status as a specialized changgeuk institution and contribute to expanding the base of gugak.”
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