Speaking About Korean Men Trapped in 'Patriarchy, Nationalism, and Hegemony'

극단 Dreamplay Th?se21 Play 'Hannam's Rhapsody'
Depicting Distorted Masculinity of Korean Men Through Various Eras and Characters

Play 'Hannam's Rhapsody'. Photo by Dreamplay These21

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] A work depicting the disabled identity of Korean men formed within the flow of modern Korean history from the Japanese colonial period to the present is coming to audiences.

Dreamplay These21 announced on the 1st that the new original play Hannam-ui Gwangsigok (K-Men’s Rhapsody) will be performed from the 6th to the 23rd at Seondol Theater on Hyehwa-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The work deeply reflects on the disabled identity of Korean men formed in modern history through historical scenes. It conveys to the audience that the so-called "masculinity," which Korean men have believed in like a maternal faith, is a disabled portrait created by Korea's modern history and a sediment of disabled history passed down across generations.

This work is a reflective piece that cheerfully explores the past and present of Korean men, connected like a single organism, in a free and wide-ranging manner. At the same time, it prompts a reconsideration of the history of Korean women, who have been marginalized in the existing male-centered historical perspective.

Rehearsal scene of the play 'Hannam's Rhapsody'. Photo by Dreamplay These21

The production team expresses the rightful anger and creative resistance of women worldwide through Korean men living in the 21st century. It also discusses the consequences of male humanity treating female humanity not as equal subjects, humans, or comrades, but as gendered, sexualized, ideological, and derogatory objects for centuries.

Director Kim Jaeyup said, "If male humanity wants to live the most humane life by not oppressing others, standing as dignified subjects, showing solidarity with others, and caring for the weak, they must seek change immediately," adding, "I hope this work will be a starting point for Korean men to seek such change."

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