'50th Anniversary of National Theater Relocation' Madangnori Masters United by Sejong's Song

Cantata 'Sejong's Song: Wolin Cheongangjigok'
Composed by Park Beomhun, Directed by Son Jinchaek, Choreographed by Guk Suho
313 Performers on One Stage... National Theater Haeoreum Theater, March 29-31

"Two years ago, during the severe period of COVID-19, I received the lyrics of 'Worincheongangjigok' from poet Park Hae-jin and promised to compose music for it. Although King Sejong loved Queen Sohun deeply, the lyrics of Worincheongangjigok do not explicitly say 'I love you.' However, the entire work is filled with love. The poem is long, so it took a lot of time. This is the piece I have pondered over for the longest period among the compositions I have written."

Park In-geon, director of the National Theater, is giving a greeting at the press conference for the 50th anniversary commemorative performance of the National Theater's relocation to Namsan, "Sejong's Song: Wolin Cheongang Jigok," held on the afternoon of the 28th at the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul. From the left: Director Park, Conductor Park Beom-hoon, Choreographer Guk Su-ho. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The work "Song of Sejong: Worincheongangjigok," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the National Theater's relocation to Namsan, will be staged at the Haeoreum Theater from December 29 to 31. On the 28th, Park Beom-hoon (75), former president of Chung-Ang University, a gugak orchestra conductor and composer, explained the background of the work at a press conference held at the National Theater in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, saying, "As this work is performed with the National Theater's resident companies, we revised the overall composition and repeatedly rearranged it."

"Song of Sejong: Worincheongangjigok" is a large-scale cantata involving a total of 313 performers, including the National Gugak Orchestra, National Changgeuk Company, National Dance Company, Western orchestra, and choir. Conductor Park Beom-hoon, director Son Jin-chaek (76), and choreographer Guk Su-ho (75) have joined forces for this production.

At the press conference, Park In-geon, director of the National Theater, said, "To mark the 50th anniversary of the National Theater's relocation to Namsan, we wanted to convey a message of harmony and love," adding, "'Song of Sejong: Worincheongangjigok' is a work that demonstrates the National Theater's new leap forward. Since we poured our creative and production capabilities into it, I expect this piece will not just be a one-time event for the 50th anniversary but will become a regular part of the National Theater's repertoire."

The National Theater was founded in 1950 at Taepyeongno Bumin-gwan (currently the Seoul Metropolitan Council building) in Seoul, then moved through Daegu and Myeongdong before settling in Jangchung-dong, Namsan, on October 17, 1973. By providing stable performance venues and rehearsal spaces, it has fostered the emergence of national arts organizations in various fields and the creation of high-quality performing arts works.

On the afternoon of the 28th, at the National Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul, conductor Park Beom-hoon is giving a greeting speech at the press conference for the 50th anniversary commemorative performance of the National Theater's relocation to Namsan, titled 'Sejong's Song: Wolin Cheongang Jigok.'
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The subject of the work, 'Worincheongangjigok,' means "like reflecting on a thousand rivers" and is a Buddhist hymn composed by King Sejong to pray for the repose of Queen Sohun, who passed away before him. It was published in 1447 using movable metal type shortly after the creation of Hangeul and was also used as an educational tool to spread the Korean script among the people. In the performance, poet Park Hae-jin revised the lyrics into simpler words that modern audiences can relate to.

The main roles of Sejon (another name for Shakyamuni Buddha) and Queen Sohun are played by Kim Jun-su and Lee So-yeon from the National Changgeuk Company. Along with Kim Su-in as King Sejong, leading actors from the Changgeuk Company such as Yoo Tae-pyung-yang and Min Eun-kyung take on various characters on stage. The National Dance Company will feature about 30 dancers showcasing elegant yet dynamic movements to enhance audience immersion.

The instrumental ensemble is primarily composed of traditional Korean instruments, supplemented by Western instruments where needed to create a rich melody. The 63-member gugak orchestra includes gayageum, geomungo, daegeum, piri, haegeum, and taepyeongso, while the 34-member Western orchestra features violin, viola, contrabass, trumpet, horn, and more. Together with a 174-member choir, they create harmonious music that transcends the boundaries between East and West.

Rehearsal room view of the 50th anniversary performance commemorating the National Theater's move to Namsan, "Sejong's Song: Wolin Cheongang Jigok." This is a large-scale performance featuring 313 performers.
[Photo by National Theater]

Choreographer Guk Su-ho said, "The National Theater reopened after relocation on March 1, 1973, and at that time, I was the first male dancer of the National Dance Company after my military discharge. I have been friends with director Son Jin-chaek and composer Park Beom-hoon since then, and we have worked together at the National Theater, pioneering Madangnori. I am deeply moved to be entrusted with the choreography of this grand 50th-anniversary production alongside these artistic comrades."

Director Son Jin-chaek, who was absent from the press conference due to the flu, conveyed through the National Theater, "I focused the direction on 'love' and 'harmony,' highlighting the loneliness of the monarch embodied in Worincheongangjigok, the pure devotion as a husband, and King Sejong's benevolent spirit wishing for Hangeul to be spread among the people. My goal is to visualize sound and music freshly on a stage with totality so that a song from over 600 years ago resonates with contemporary audiences."

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