Preparation for Mapo-gu 'Mapo Jongjeom Trot Musical' Performance

Scheduled for a total of 5 performances from December 23 to 26 at Mapo Art Center... Historical story of 'Mapo Jongjeom,' the second manifestation site of the March 1st Movement, combined with trot music

Images related to Mapo Terminal Trot Musical

Second On-Site Audition

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Mapo-gu (Mayor Yudonggyun) announced on the 12th that it is preparing a creative musical performance titled 'Mapo Jongjeom Trot Musical,' utilizing the district's representative historical resource, 'Mapo Jongjeom.'

Mapo Jongjeom was the terminus of the tram that ran through central Seoul from the Japanese colonial period until November 1968. It became famous among citizens through the song by Eunbangul Sisters, which begins with the line, "Deep night at Mapo Jongjeom, the tram with nowhere to go at night."

However, the Mapo tram terminus holds an important historical fact that must not be forgotten. This place is where, around 8 p.m. on March 1, 1919, those who had completed the Declaration of Independence ceremony at Tapgol Park gathered at the Mapo tram terminus and shouted for independence, marking a significant site of the March 1st Movement.

At the former Mapo tram terminus near 20 Mapodaero-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, there remains only a small marker inscribed with "3·1 Movement Memorial Site: Mapo Tram Terminus," honoring the spirit of the independence activists.

Accordingly, the district has embarked on producing a creative musical utilizing the historical resources of Mapo Jongjeom to remember the passionate cries of the March 1st Movement, reflect on the spirit of the patriotic martyrs and independence activists, and foster residents' love for their hometown.

Additionally, in the context of the performing arts culture being stagnant due to COVID-19, the district expects that establishing a foundation for creative musicals will create jobs for local artists and revitalize the performance industry.

Produced by the Mapo Cultural Center (Director Choi Jaehong), 'Mapo Jongjeom Trot Musical' is a trot-style fusion musical drama depicting the joys and sorrows, independence movement, love, and parting of Mapo Jongjeom, which was the lifeline of Seoul during the Japanese colonial period. It combines the historical story of Mapo Jongjeom with the familiar music genre of trot.

Planned as a performance lasting approximately 120 minutes, 'Mapo Jongjeom Trot Musical' is scheduled to be presented five times from December 23 to 26 at the Mapo Art Center, targeting tourists and the general public. To expand cultural enjoyment opportunities, culturally marginalized groups will be invited free of charge.

Meanwhile, about 100 people applied for the first round of video and document screening for 'Mapo Jongjeom Trot Musical' held last September, demonstrating strong enthusiasm. Through strict evaluation by a panel of experts, 55 candidates were selected, and in the second on-site screening, the final 20 cast members (including 2 child actors) were chosen. They will begin full-scale rehearsals from November while adhering to quarantine guidelines.

Yudonggyun, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, "Mapo Jongjeom is a historically valuable resource as the second birthplace of the March 1st Movement, but it seems that this fact is not well known among residents, which led us to plan this creative musical." He added, "I hope this creative musical performance will become an opportunity for residents to take pride in Mapo and breathe new life into the local performing arts industry."

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