[On Stage] Kim Myung-gon's New Chunhyang... Mongryong Tore Up the Pledge

"Portraying Chunhyang as Independent and Progressive to Resonate with Young Audiences"
National Changgeuk Company’s New Work 'Chunhyang'... Performances at National Theater from the 14th

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] 'Sarangga' is one of the representative emotional highlights in the pansori Chunhyangga. On the afternoon of the 13th, when the press conference for the National Changgeuk Company's 2020 new work 'Chunhyang' was held at the Daloreum Theater of the National Theater, Lee So-yeon, playing Chunhyang, stepped onto the stage to demonstrate the 'Sarangga' scene and tore a piece of paper into shreds in front of Mongryong (Kim Junsu). It was the marriage pledge Mongryong had written to Chunhyang, promising to be a faithful husband.

Director Kim Myung-gon said, "For the first time, Chunhyang tearing up the certificate was directed." He added, "The adaptation focused on how to revive Chunhyang from 200 to 300 years ago in 2020 and gain empathy from young audiences in their teens and twenties, similar in age to Chunhyang and Mongryong. We made quite bold changes in the storyline and character traits."

Director Kim has a strong interest in pansori, having learned singing from master singer Park Cho-wol during his time at Seoul National University. He also has a deep connection with 'Chunhyangjeon.' In 1998, he wrote the script for the National Changgeuk Company's fully sold-out curtain-play 'Chunhyangjeon.' He also wrote the screenplay for director Im Kwon-taek's 2000 film 'Chunhyangjeon,' the first Korean film to enter the Cannes Film Festival competition.

Directed by Kim Myung-gon
[Photo by National Changgeuk Company]

In this new National Changgeuk Company's 'Chunhyang,' he created a different character of Chunhyang. "I portrayed Chunhyang as a proactive and progressive woman." The scene where she tears up the marriage pledge is representative. Director Kim explained, "It is a scene showing Chunhyang's will not to live the life of Wolmae, her mother, who was bound by a single pledge."

The original 'Chunhyangjeon' starts with Mongryong riding a donkey to Gwanghallu Pavilion for a visit, but this was changed to Chunhyang going out to Gwanghallu Pavilion with Wolmae after putting on makeup. It is a hint to pay close attention to Chunhyang from the beginning of the play.

Mongryong was also changed into a freer and more independent young man. Accordingly, the personality of Mongryong's father was altered. In the original 'Chunhyangjeon,' Mongryong's father is a gentle and kind figure. However, in 'Chunhyang,' he is a person who highly values the Neo-Confucian values of Joseon. "Mongryong's father severely scolds him when he finds out that his son is involved with the gisaeng Chunhyang. Mongryong is under great pressure from his father and family, which adds sorrow to the farewell scene between Mongryong and Chunhyang."

National Changgeuk Company 'Chunhyang' Demonstration Scene

Director Kim emphasized that while boldly changing the storyline and characters, he also strived to showcase the unique musical beauty of pansori.

"Over the past decade, the National Changgeuk Company has received much praise and attracted young audiences by adapting foreign classics like 'Farewell My Concubine' and 'The Women of Troy' into Korean styles or interpreting Korean classics in a highly disruptive and modern way. However, personally, since the Changgeuk Company is a group that expresses musical drama based on pansori, I believe its mission is to produce works that best highlight the melodies and singing of pansori."

Therefore, Director Kim was very pleased when offered to direct 'Chunhyang' at the National Changgeuk Company. He said, "The love story of Chunhyang and Mongryong is not just a special love story between two people but a kind of love that many people dream of today. I hope the power of such pure love will comfort the audience who come to the theater during these difficult times."

The National Changgeuk Company's new work 'Chunhyang' will be performed from the 14th to the 24th at the Daloreum Theater of the National Theater. Lee So-yeon, a member of the National Changgeuk Company, and guest actor Kim Woo-jung will play Chunhyang. Kim Junsu, a member of the National Changgeuk Company, will play Mongryong.

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