ACC to Stage May 18 Commemorative Play "I Was Not in Gwangju"

The Asia Culture Center (ACC) announced on May 1 that the commemorative performance for the May 18 Democratization Movement, titled "I Was Not in Gwangju," will be staged at Theater 1 of the ACC Arts Theater from May 15 to 18.

First premiered in 2020, "I Was Not in Gwangju" is an audience-participatory play set against the backdrop of the intense ten days of the May 18 Democratization Movement. The performance, which faithfully depicts the movement as it unfolded from the main gate of Chonnam National University in Gwangju, invites direct participation from audience members who did not experience the turbulent era of 1980.

Audience members take on significant roles in the performance alongside the actors on a stage that recreates Gwangju in May 1980, allowing them to experience the events of that day in a dramatic way. The stage technology of the ACC Arts Theater, combined with the unique directing style of Ko Sunwoong, a director from Gwangju, offers an intuitive portrayal of that historic day in May.

In celebration of the ACC's 10th anniversary and the 45th anniversary of the May 18 Democratization Movement, the seating capacity, which was 200 at the premiere, was increased to 400 last year and has been further expanded to 518 seats this year, allowing more people to attend. In addition, modifications to the stage and seating of Theater 1 at the ACC Arts Theater have enhanced the completeness and safety of the stage design.

Notably, this year marks the first participation of the "2025 ACC Arts Theater Season Artists" in the performance, strengthening the role of the production theater. The cast includes four season artist actors?Kim Eunsook, Park Miyoung, Lee Jieun, and Lee Jeongjin?as well as Hwang Younghee, a nationally renowned actor from Mokpo, for a total of 40 performers.

The performance "I Was Not in Gwangju" is open to those aged 13 and older, with all tickets priced at 30,000 won. Special discounts are available for those born in 1980 and for those whose birthdays fall between May 18 and May 27.

Additionally, the ACC will operate a "Memorial Tour" program this year to help audiences from the Seoul metropolitan area attend "I Was Not in Gwangju" and to further promote the values of the May 18 Democratization Movement. The two-day, one-night "Memorial Tour" includes viewing the performance as well as tours of the National May 18 Cemetery, May 18 Liberty Park, May 18 Archives, Jeonil Building 245, and Yangnim-dong History and Culture Village.

The "Memorial Tour," which includes round-trip KTX tickets between Seoul and Gwangju, accommodation, meals, performance tickets, and a guided tour of Gwangju, is priced at 125,000 won. It will be held twice: once on May 15-16 and again on May 17-18.

Kim Sangwook, Director of the Asia Culture Center, stated, "'I Was Not in Gwangju' is a performance created through the collaboration of Korea's leading artists and the ACC production team," adding, "It will be a meaningful time to empathize with a historic moment that symbolizes democracy in our country."