Creative Musical 'Gwangju' on the 5·18 Democratization Movement... Directed by Go Seon-ung

September Gwangju and October Seoul Performances... Supporting Role and Ensemble Auditions on October 13-14

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The original musical "Gwangju," based on the May 18 Democratic Uprising, is holding auditions to select supporting and ensemble actors who will shine on the premiere stage of "Gwangju."

The musical "Gwangju" is scheduled to be performed in Gwangju in September and Seoul in October, with auditions taking place on April 13-14. Through the auditions, supporting roles such as Street Angel, Jang Sam-nyeong, Oh Yong-su, Kim Chang-seok, who play key roles in the narrative development, as well as ensemble actors, will be cast. Document screening will be conducted via email submissions until the 31st, and only those who pass the document screening will proceed to the second audition on May 13-14. Detailed information about the auditions can be found on the website of the production company Live Co., Ltd.

"Gwangju" is an original musical that captures the May 18 Democratic Uprising, where the citizens of Gwangju in the 1980s stood against the military regime demanding democratization, and their noble spirit. The work was planned as part of the "2019 March for the Beloved: Popularization and Globalization Project," hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Gwangju Metropolitan City, and organized by the Gwangju Cultural Foundation and Live Co., Ltd.

The Gwangju Cultural Foundation aims through this project to produce an original musical based on the "March for the Beloved," which has become a symbol of democracy, and to develop the work into a representative performance commemorating the 40th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. To ensure "Gwangju" becomes a musical symbolizing democracy, overseas showcases for the global musical market will be held in addition to domestic performances.

The original musical "Gwangju" borrows the "March for the Beloved," a song established as a symbol of democratization, and depicts the citizens who never succumb to the schemes of state power and the anguished struggles of a member of the convenience squad watching over them. The convenience squad refers to special soldiers deployed in Gwangju to spread rumors and incite violent protests.

"Gwangju" is co-produced by the Gwangju Cultural Foundation, Live Co., Ltd., and the theater company Geukgongjakso Mabangjin.

Live Co., Ltd. is a production company that has produced several acclaimed original musicals such as "Fan Letter," "Rimbaud," and "Marie Curie." Geukgongjakso Mabangjin is a theater troupe known for presenting artistically significant plays like "Camel Box," "Hongdo," and "L'Appartement."

The direction of "Gwangju" is led by director Go Seon-ung, widely known for directing the Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies. Director Go has directed plays about the May 18 Democratic Uprising such as "On a Blue Day," the dramatization of novelist Jo Jung-rae’s novel "Arirang," and "Byeonggangsoe Jeomjjikgo Ongnyeo," which introduced a new era in traditional Korean opera and received high praise on the French stage. Last year, he also took on opera for the first time, directing the National Opera Company's original opera "1945."

Director Go Seon-ung also participates as the playwright for "Gwangju." Composer Choi Woo-jung, who collaborated on the original opera "1945," is in charge of the music for "Gwangju." Director Go plans to convey the universally valid values of democracy, human rights, and peace?the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising?in a popular yet profound manner through his distinctive sharp perspective and meticulous direction.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.