Sequential Opening of Seoul Arts Center Venues... Play 'Heukbaekdabang' Performed from 22nd to 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The Seoul Arts Center will stop closing its performance venues and resume welcoming audiences.

The Seoul Arts Center announced on the 16th that, in order to revitalize the stagnant performing arts scene, it will sequentially open its venues and will host the play "Heukbaekdabang" by the Huam Theater Company at the Seoul Arts Center Jayu Small Theater from the 22nd to the 26th.

"Heukbaekdabang" is a work that depicts the relationship between perpetrators and victims during the democratization period of the 1980s, reflecting the era's social realities. The play's spatial setting is the Heukbaekdabang in Nampo-dong, Busan. The tea room owner (Kim Myung-gon), a former police officer, offers counseling to visitors, soothing their wounds. The owner takes only one day off a year, on his wife's death anniversary. The story begins when a visitor (Yoon Sang-ho), who insists on receiving counseling precisely on that day, arrives. The two seated across from each other recall forgotten memories of the past.

Since the premiere of "Heukbaekdabang" in 2014, the actor duo Kim Myung-gon and Yoon Sang-ho, known for their excellent chemistry, have played the roles of the tea room owner and the visitor, respectively.

"Heukbaekdabang" attracted attention by winning numerous awards at domestic and international theater festivals, including a special prize at Japan's "Tiny Alice Festival" last year. It was invited to the Korea Season at the 2016 Edinburgh Festival in the UK, performing alongside British actors, and has also been staged in the United States and Turkey. The English version of "Heukbaekdabang," titled "BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM-COUNSELLOR," has been recognized for its artistic value and is scheduled to be performed on Broadway in the United States.

The Seoul Arts Center stated that, with the transition from "intensive social distancing" to a citizen-participatory living quarantine system, it decided to open its spaces sequentially rather than closing them indefinitely. It also emphasized that it will continuously monitor the COVID-19 situation. Above all, the center will thoroughly disinfect and sanitize the facilities and spaces of the performance venues, maintain social distancing by seating one person per two seats to alleviate audience anxiety, and create an environment that allows for hygienic and comfortable viewing experiences. Additionally, disinfection will be conducted before every performance, and personal hygiene management and public health environments will be ensured not only for the audience but also for all participating artists and staff.

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