'Korean Performing Arts History at a Glance' Published: 70 Years of the National Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The "70-Year History of the National Theater," which chronicles the 70-year history since the establishment of the National Theater, has been published.

The National Theater opened on April 29, 1950, at Bumin-gwan (currently the Seoul Metropolitan Council building) and will celebrate its 70th anniversary on the 29th.

A total of 13 experts, including Professor Sangwoo Lee from the Department of Korean Language and Literature at Korea University, participated in writing the 70-Year History of the National Theater. The book, spanning 1,510 pages, provides a three-dimensional narrative of the history of the National Theater and the Korean performing arts scene from its opening to its current location in Jangchung-dong, from a cultural and artistic historical perspective. It also includes the histories of the current resident companies?the National Changgeuk Company, National Dance Company, and National Gugak Orchestra?as well as transferred organizations such as the National Theater Company, National Opera Company, National Ballet Company, National Chorus, National Symphony Orchestra (currently KBS Symphony Orchestra), and National Dance Company (currently Seoul Musical Company).

The book also draws attention with its spatial history, stage art history, and stage technology history, covering the evolving spaces of the National Theater and the history of stage art and technology in line with the times. It features "Behind the Stage Stories" vividly conveyed by theater staff who participated in production, as well as a "70th Anniversary Commemorative Dialogue" that envisions the next 100 years of the National Theater from the perspective of performing arts experts.

In the foreword, Kim Cheol-ho, Director of the National Theater, stated, "While solidly documenting the 'history' of the National Theater, we aimed to focus on the previously overlooked stories about 'people.' We express our gratitude and respect to the performing artists who have devoted themselves to the development of performing arts and to the audience who have cherished the National Theater."

The 70-Year History of the National Theater will be available for purchase at major online and offline bookstores starting in May and can be accessed at the National Theater Performing Arts Museum's reference room and major libraries.

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