March 30 - April 25 at Sejong Center M Theater
On March 3, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts announced that the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre will present its first production of 2026, the acclaimed play "Big Mother" by French playwright Melody Mouret. The show will be staged at the Sejong Center M Theater from March 30 to April 25.
"Big Mother," the first production since Lee Junwoo took office as director of the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre, is a thriller that explores the structure of contemporary society, where politics, media, and big data are intricately connected. The play takes a direct look at the current power structure, clearly highlighting the new direction pursued by the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre.
Melody Mouret, known for works such as "Mad Frogs" and "Race of Giants," is a writer recognized for her sharp insights into the fissures of modern society. "Big Mother" was nominated in five categories at the Moli?re Awards, the highest honor in the French theater industry, proving both its artistic value and its prominence.
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The play centers on investigative journalists in New York battling to expose the conspiracy of powerful forces. In an environment flooded with "fabricated facts," the journalists find that simply revealing the truth is not enough. The story incisively captures an era in which it matters less what is true, and more who makes people believe it and how. "Big Mother" persistently tracks how truth operates in a society where control disguised as transparency, data surveillance, and public opinion manipulation have become commonplace.
The production poses a profound question to an age "overwhelmed by so much news that nothing is visible." Amid the clash between traditional media values and the speed of the digital ecosystem, the New York investigative newsroom highlights both the responsibilities and the limitations of journalism.
In particular, the play clearly demonstrates that today, the most threatening presence is no longer the "individual who lies," but rather "deceitful data" that is meticulously engineered.
The production is directed by Lee Junwoo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre. His direction aims to maximize the play's tension through rapid scene changes and a rhythmic structure, translating the constant exchange of information and perspectives into stage language to enhance audience immersion.
The cast features actors with distinctive personalities and strong stage presence. Veteran journalists and newsroom editors in New York, Owen, will be portrayed by Cho Han-cheul and Yoo Sung-joo in a double cast. The role of Cook, a relentless investigator of the truth behind the case, will be played by Lee Kang-wook and Kim Se-hwan. Shin Yun-ji will appear as Julia, who maintains emotional balance amid the unfolding events. Kim Shin-gi and Choi Nara, members of the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre, and Kim Eun-hee, a renowned actress from the troupe Traveler, will also join the production. Additionally, Choi Ho-young, recipient of the 61st Dong-A Theater Awards for Best New Actor, and Jo Soo-yeon, winner of the 46th Seoul Theater Festival Best New Actor Award, will be part of the cast.
An Ho-sang, president of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, commented, "Big Mother is a play that compels us to reconsider what to believe and how to make judgments in an era overflowing with information. I hope it will serve as an opportunity to reflect artistically on the structural problems of contemporary society and to engage in dialogue with the audience."
Director Lee Junwoo stated, "Rather than conveying a specific political stance, this play encourages us to observe how the news and information we encounter every day are constructed. I hope every audience member will leave with their own set of questions based on their individual standards."
Further details about the play "Big Mother" can be found through the official social media channels of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts and the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre.
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