National Theater Company of Korea 70th Anniversary Commemorative New Original Play 'Hwajeonga' Performance

Until the 23rd at Myeongdong Art Theater

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The National Theater Company is performing the original new work "Hwajeonga" in celebration of its 70th anniversary at the Myeongdong Arts Theater until the 23rd.

"Hwajeonga" was planned as the first production in 2020 to mark the National Theater Company's 70th anniversary. However, the opening was postponed to August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Hwajeonga" is a new work by playwright Bae Samsik, who has delivered calm yet profound emotions by revisiting history in previous works such as "Snow in March (2011)" and "1945 (2017)." While his previous work "1945" dealt with the lives of Koreans living in Manchuria, China, immediately after liberation in 1945, the new work "Hwajeonga"

is set during the chaotic period just before the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. It focuses on a household left without men and looks at the real lives behind history from the perspective of women.

"Hwajeonga" refers to a song about "Hwajeonnori," a spring outing where women enjoy making and eating pancakes with flower petals.

In April 1950, nine women who had been scattered gather at one house to celebrate "Kim's" 60th birthday. It is a turbulent era of national division with no time to enjoy the joy of liberation, a time of shaken and frozen despair. Instead of a 60th birthday party, the nine women decide to go on a Hwajeonnori outing. As they prepare for the Hwajeonnori in place of the birthday party, their all-night chatter contains memories of past lives, those who could not be with them, and the poignant history of Korea. In the bleak reality where ideological conflicts and internal national divisions escalated into war, the women's lives unfold through their endless chatter as they send off loved ones, wait for those who may never return, and steadfastly live their daily lives.

"Hwajeonga" warmly portrays the ordinary lives of women who had to continue amidst the whirlpool of great history. Through "Hwajeonga," playwright Bae Samsik conveys that what sustains life amid adversity are the small memories represented by women's chatter. It advocates for the trivial and seemingly meaningless things that were overlooked amid significant matters such as independence, ideology, and war, prompting a reconsideration of the value of art.

Led by actress Yesujeong in the role of "Kim," along with actors Jeon Gukhyang, Kim Jeongeun, and others boasting deep experience, the play depicts the profound solidarity among women. The actors vividly capture the old dialect of Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the spatial setting of the play.

Lee Seongyeol, artistic director of the National Theater Company, directs the production. Kim Youngjin, a hanbok designer who breathes new life into traditional Korean clothing through works such as the drama "Mr. Sunshine" and the film "The Handmaiden," is in charge of costumes, adding visual enjoyment to the production. Additionally, stage designer Park Sangbong and lighting designer Choi Boyun collaborate to enhance the production with a simple yet stylish stage.

The performance operates with socially distanced seating to prevent the spread of COVID-19. After the final performance on the 9th, a "Talk with the Artists" session will be held featuring playwright Bae Samsik, director Lee Seongyeol, and actors Yesujeong and Jeon Gukhyang.

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