"Singing Love at the Peak of Spring"... The National Changgeuk Company Presents a New 'Chunhyang'

A Work Highlighting the Inherent Beauty of Sound... Praised at Its 2020 Premiere
Large Cast of 50, Enhanced Excitement with the Addition of the National Dance Company

The National Changgeuk Company, the resident troupe of the National Theater, presents a renewed performance of the Changgeuk "Chunhyang." Photo by National Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The National Changgeuk Company, an exclusive troupe of the National Theater, is presenting the changgeuk "Chunhyang" anew.

The National Changgeuk Company announced on the 14th that "Chunhyang" will be restaged at the Haeoreum Theater from May 4 to 8. The changgeuk "Chunhyang," which premiered in 2020 at the Daloreum Theater, is a work that tells the story of 'love,' the most instinctive and pure human emotion. For this restaging, the performance space has been moved to the Haeoreum Theater, offering a more splendid and rich stage.

"Chunhyang" was scripted and directed by Kim Myunggon, who has deep knowledge of pansori, at its premiere, declaring it a "changgeuk centered on singing." The work was composed with the soulful singing of master singer Yoo Sujeong, a disciple of Manjeong Kim Sohee, combined with modernity by composer Kim Seongguk, and the skills of the National Changgeuk Company members, earning praise as a "work that highlights the inherent beauty of sound."

While fully capturing the charm of the musically delicate pansori "Chunhyangga," the true value of the changgeuk "Chunhyang," which embraces modern music, is even more evident in well-known key scenes such as "Love Song," "Farewell Song," "Prison Song," and "The Magistrate's Arrival." The orchestra, which combines traditional Korean instruments with Western instruments like synthesizers, guitars, and drums, breathes three-dimensionality into the sound texture, presenting new music that transcends tradition and modernity.

For this performance, the stage was moved to the Haeoreum Theater, and the script was revised and the singing composition refined to create a denser story, including adding sounds for characters such as the magistrate's "New Year's Greeting" scene. The music was also overall polished to be more dense and sophisticated.

The top production team reunited for the re-performance of 'Chunhyang' is dedicating meticulous effort to revisions and improvements to complete a romantic stage. Photo by National Theater

The top production team reunited for the restaging is dedicating great effort to revision and supplementation for a romantic stage completion. Jang Hyunsoo, the lead dancer of the National Dance Company in charge of choreography, offers a rich visual feast through more splendid and lively dance moves together with newly joined dancers from the National Dance Company. Additionally, the creative team including stage designer Jung Seungho, lighting designer Koo Yoonyoung, video designer Jo Suhyun, and costume and accessory designer Lee Jinhui collaborate to depict unpredictable moments of love with diverse textures.

The fever and energy of excited love are expressed through the movement of a large swing 15 meters long made at the front of the stage, while the changing emotions anyone experiences in love?such as the thrill and joy of love, the sorrow of parting, and the despair and fear of waiting for someone who does not return?are conveyed through changes in lighting, video, and costume colors.

The lead roles of "Chunhyang" and "Mongryong" are double-cast by two couples representing the National Changgeuk Company. Lee Soyeon and Kim Junsu, who have played leading roles in every production, and newcomers Kim Woojung and Kim Suin, who joined last year, will each portray the fresh and innocent love of youth with different charms. The strong personalities of the characters are also impressive. The powerful performances of Kim Chakyung and Kim Geummi as "Wolmae," Choi Hoseong as "Byeon Hakdo," Jo Yua as "Hyangdan," and Yoo Taepyeongyang as "Bangja" can be seen again in this production.

The newly presented "Chunhyang" will be held from May 4 to 8 at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul.