Seoul Arts Troupe to Perform New Work "Hyanghwa" Highlighting Female Independence Activists in January

At Gyeonggi Art Center Grand Theater from January 8 to 10 next year

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The Seoul Arts Troupe will perform the new original musical 'Hyanghwa' from January 8 to 10 next year at the Gyeonggi Arts Center Grand Theater.

'Hyanghwa' is a co-production between the Seoul Arts Troupe and the Gyeonggi Arts Center. It uncovers and reexamines a lesser-known female independence activist through the life of Kim Hyanghwa (金香花), a courtesan of the Suwon Gwonbeon who led the March 29, 1919, Suwon area independence movement.

The protagonist of 'Hyanghwa,' martyr Kim Hyanghwa, was married at a young age during the late Joseon period but divorced at 18 and became a courtesan at the Suwon Gwonbeon to support her family. Hyanghwa (香花) was the stage name of Kim Hyanghwa, meaning 'fragrant flower.' Her real name is said to have been Suni (順伊).

Known for her progressive nature, Kim Hyanghwa led the courtesans in performing a mourning ritual in front of Daehanmun Gate upon the death of Emperor Gojong in 1919. On March 29, during the height of the March 1st Movement, she led about 30 courtesans of the Suwon Gwonbeon in shouting for independence near Jahye Hospital (the site of Hwaseong Bongsudang in Suwon), where the Japanese had imposed a humiliating sanitary inspection. Due to this incident, she was imprisoned in Seodaemun Prison, where she endured harsh treatment alongside martyr Yu Gwan-sun and others, after which her whereabouts became unknown.

Kwon Ho-seong, artistic director of the Seoul Arts Troupe and playwright and director of 'Hyanghwa,' stated, "We intended to summon Hyanghwa, who lived in an era of discrimination and oppression, into our time to shed light on the lost and distorted histories of women."

Seong Moon-seon, a member of the Seoul Arts Troupe, and sorikkun (traditional Korean singer) Kim Nani will play the role of Kim Hyanghwa.

Tickets for 'Hyanghwa' will be available for reservation from 10 a.m. on December 4. Seoul Arts Troupe paid members can pre-book tickets at a 40% discount on November 30 and December 1.

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