“My Lord is the Only One, I Will Not Bow to Any Gentleman” ... Pastor Ju Gi-cheol’s Life Story Creative Opera ‘Ilsagako’

Cast of the original opera 'Ilsagak-o'. [Image source=Changwon City Christian Presbyterian Council]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] The creative opera "Ilsagak-o," which depicts the life of anti-Japanese independence activist Pastor Ju Ki-cheol, will premiere on the 24th at the Changwon Seongsan Art Hall Grand Theater in Gyeongnam.

Pastor Ju Ki-cheol was born in Ungcheon, Jinhae-gu, Changwon City during the Japanese colonial period. He served as a pastor in Busan, Masan, and Pyongyang, refusing to participate in shrine worship under Japanese rule and engaging in anti-Japanese movements. He was arrested by the Japanese police and martyred in 1944 at the age of 47 while imprisoned.

The Ju Ki-cheol Pastor Martyrdom Memorial Project Association and the Changwon City Christian Presbyterian Federation announced on the 23rd that they completed the creative opera depicting Pastor Ju's life, represented by "Ilsagak-o (一死覺悟)," over three years.

The performance, divided into 3 PM and 7 PM shows, is specially sponsored by Gyeongsangnam-do and Changwon City and opened with support from Gisan Industry and local churches.

The performance was directed by Professor Kim Dong-soon of Changwon University’s Department of Music, conducted by Actor Min of the Korea Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations Gyeongnam Federation Secretariat, with tenors Jung Tae-sung and Lee Hae-sung playing the role of Ju Ki-cheol.

Choi Ju-cheol, president of the federation, said, “We have compiled the life story of Pastor Ju Ki-cheol, who can be a great brand of local pride and love for the country,” and added, “We hope many residents will attend.”