Play for Children 'Did You Die or Live' Based on 'Dongwonryeong' Written by Teacher Bang Jeong-hwan Unveiled

Seongbuk-gu Office Website (sb.go.kr) and YouTube Channel Release Children's Play 'Dead or Alive'... A Work Inspired by the Spirit of the 1918 Play 'Dongwonryeong' by Teacher Bang Jeong-hwan

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Seongbuk-gu (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) has released the children's play "Dead or Alive," viewable on YouTube, to commemorate Sofa Bang Jeong-hwan, who has deep ties to the region.

The play "Dead or Alive" is a work that inherits the spirit of the 1918 play "Dongwonryeong," which Bang Jeong-hwan wrote, directed, and even performed in himself.

Bang Jeong-hwan enrolled in Boseong Professional School (the predecessor of Korea University) in 1918 and carried out independence and children's rights movements until his death in 1931.

Unfortunately, the script of "Dongwonryeong" no longer exists, but it is recalled as a play depicting the harsh reality of the Japanese colonial period, where a sick wife faces a Japanese usurer alone while her husband is out earning money.

Based on this, the sick wife protagonist was adapted into the child protagonist "Seowoo," and the Japanese colonial period was replaced with the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic. The video consists of six episodes, telling the story of Seowoo, who spends gloomy days unable to go to school or playgrounds due to the coronavirus while her parents are out working. During this time, a quarantine officer, delivery worker, coronavirus, door-to-door salesperson, and friend "Suhyun" visit and converse with her, helping her find hope.

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, stated, "2021 marks the 122nd anniversary of Sofa Bang Jeong-hwan's birth. To commemorate the activities and philosophy of the teacher, who has deep ties with Seoul's Seongbuk-gu, and to provide vitality to the lives of residents, including children enduring the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, this production was created."

The play "Dead or Alive" is hosted by Seoul City, Seongbuk-gu, and Korea University; organized by Korea University Anam-dong Campus Town Support Center and Seongbuk Cultural Center; supported by Korea University Dramatic Arts Research Society Dongwoohoe; and produced by Gongnori Club. It can be viewed on the Seongbuk-gu Office website and Seongbuk-gu Office YouTube channel.

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