A New "Korean Classic" Reimagined on Stage
Sammaegyeong Breathes New Life into Dongsung at the National Theater Company
The National Theater Company announced on June 18 that it will stage "Sammaegyeong," a reimagining of the Korean play classic "Dongsung," at the National Theater Company's Myeongdong Arts Theater from July 17 to August 3.
"Dongsung" tells the story of Donyeom, a young Buddhist novice who longs for his mother who left him deep in the mountains. The play explores Donyeom's anguish as his yearning for his mother intensifies amid conflict and confrontation among the characters. Addressing themes such as Buddha-nature and human nature, fate and relationships, the work poses questions about human agency.
Written by Ham Saedeok and directed by Yoo Chijin, "Dongsung" premiered in 1939. That same year, it received critical acclaim, winning the Grand Prize at the 2nd Theater Festival hosted by the Dong-A Ilbo (the predecessor of the current Dong-A Theater Award). It is regarded as a classic representing lyrical romanticism and was also adapted into a film of the same name. However, both Ham Saedeok and Yoo Chijin, the original creators of "Dongsung," were known to have collaborated with the Japanese imperial authorities during the colonial era.
The National Theater Company explained that it planned "Sammaegyeong" as a re-creation of "Dongsung" to breathe new life into Korean plays that originated at the dawn of Korean theater, aiming to create a "Korean classic" that would live on stage with a modern sensibility.
Director Lee Chulhee, head of the theater company Cornerstone, is in charge of both the adaptation and the direction.
Actor Ji Chunsung, who played the lead role of Donyeom at age 25 in the 1991 production of "Dongsung" directed by Park Wongeun, returns to the stage as an older Donyeom. Ji Chunsung won the Best Actor Award at the 15th Seoul Theater Festival in 1991 for "Dongsung," and the Popularity Award in the theater category at the 28th Baeksang Arts Awards the following year. In "Sammaegyeong," Ji Chunsung appears as his 59-year-old self, aligning his real-life persona with the character he first portrayed as a young Buddhist 34 years ago. The actor, who considers his performance from 34 years ago a failure and remains trapped in the time and space of theater, plunges into the Samdocheon river on his journey to the afterlife, experiencing a mysterious "Sammaegyeong" where past and present, theater and reality, are intertwined.
Actor Ji Chunsung, who played the lead role of Donyeom in the National Theater Company's "Sammaegyeong" [Photo by National Theater Company]
Actor Ji Chunsung in the role of Donyeom in "Dongsung," directed by Park Wongeun in 1991 [Photo by National Theater Company]
Director Lee Chulhee cited actor Ji Chunsung as the reason for choosing "Dongsung" as the subject for a new adaptation among many modern and contemporary Korean plays. He said, "I am always deeply concerned with the existence of the actor. An actor is like someone who throws themselves into a kiln where poison is fired. The act of annihilating oneself and becoming the role completely?what might even be called desperation?is both a shackle and a mark of craftsmanship that actors and artists must bear due to the nature of their profession. Acting is a vocation in which one must endlessly experience both frustration and vitality. I wanted to explore the point where the anguish and resolve that actors experience in real life are brought into the play, blurring the boundary between reality and theater."
Director Lee Chulhee has swept the Byeoksan Playwriting Award, Seoul Arts Award, and Baeksang Arts Award. He is acclaimed for his excellence in reinterpreting the aesthetic value of traditional theater in a contemporary context. His directing credits include "Maeng," "Jincheon-sa's Reserved Seat," and "Jo Chiweon Haemuni."
In addition to Ji Chunsung in the role of Donyeom, the cast includes Ko Yongseon, Kwak Sungeun, Kim Sinhyo, Seo Yudeok, Shim Wanjun, Yoon Seulgi, Lee Kangmin, Jung Juho, Jung Honggu, Cho Sungyun, Cho Youngkyu, Cho Euijin, and Hong Jiin. The 13 actors, beyond their individual roles, physically embody elements of nature such as the changing seasons, "green sprouting on frozen ground," "a stream flowing with difficulty," "the sound of wind chimes in the breeze," and "the winter bullfinch."
The National Theater Company announced that, to revitalize the performing arts industry, it will offer a 30% discount in July and August to audience members holding paid tickets to any performance, including plays, musicals, dance, or concerts. The discount applies even if the ticket is not for a National Theater Company production. For performances from July 26 to 28, accessibility services will be provided, including Korean Sign Language interpretation, Korean subtitles, audio description, a tactile stage model tour, advance script access, and mobility support. After the performances on July 20 and 27, there will be artist talks featuring director Lee Chulhee, actor Ji Chunsung, and others. Tickets for "Sammaegyeong" can be reserved on the National Theater Company and NOL Ticket (formerly Interpark) websites.
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