18+ Changgeuk 'Byeonggangsoe Jeom Jipgo Ongnyeo' Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Opens on the 5th

Performance at National Theater Daloreum Theater until the 15th
'Byeonggangsoe Taryeong' Recreated... Writing a New Chapter in Changgeuk History
Couple Lee Soyeon & Choi Woosung Joined by Kim Woojung & Yoo Taepyeongyang

The National Changgeuk Company will perform the representative hit that rewrote the history of original changgeuk, 'Byeonggangsoe Jeom Jipgo Ongnyeo,' at the National Theater's Daloreum Theater from the 5th to the 15th.

'Byeonggangsoe Jeom Jipgo Ongnyeo' is a re-creation of 'Byeonggangsoe Taryeong,' one of the seven pansori repertoires, which is no longer performed due to its obscene content. It was first performed in 2014 and celebrated its 10th anniversary earlier this year.

'Byeonggangsoe Jeom Jipgo Ongnyeo' has rewritten the history of changgeuk in many ways. It was the first changgeuk to be rated '18+' and won the 'Cha Beomseok Playwright Award' in the musical script category at its premiere. In 2016, it became the first changgeuk officially invited to Th??tre de la Ville in Paris, France, regarded as the center of contemporary European performance. Since its premiere, it has been performed for eight consecutive years in 16 cities domestically and internationally, surpassing 100 cumulative performances and attracting over 47,000 audience members. This is the first time the National Changgeuk Company is re-staging a work to commemorate its 10th anniversary.

[Photo by National Changgeuk Company]

'Byeonggangsoe Jeom Jipgo Ongnyeo' showcases director Go Seon-ung's specialty of humorously and ingeniously twisting classics. Although it is rated 18+, it is by no means provocative. The story of 'Byeonggangsoe Taryeong,' once dismissed as obscene, has been adapted into a refined love story that resonates with today's audience. Director Go Seon-ung put a 'dot' on the gaze that was fixed on Byeonggangsoe and brought Ongnyeo, who lives a hard but spirited life, to the forefront as the protagonist. At the same time, the play vividly portrays various human figures through jangseung (traditional Korean totem poles) from different regions across the country and commoners whom Byeonggangsoe and Ongnyeo meet while living in a tavern, enhancing the plot's plausibility and amplifying the entertainment.

The original storyline remains the same in the changgeuk. The villagers, believing that Ongnyeo is responsible for the successive deaths of men, drive her away. Wandering here and there, Ongnyeo accidentally meets Byeonggangsoe in Cheongseokgol, Hwanghae Province, and they set up a bridal chamber. One day, Byeonggangsoe goes to gather firewood but pulls out a jangseung, causing him to contract a disease from the jangseung spirits and eventually die. However, the changgeuk completely overturns the original ending. After Byeonggangsoe's death, Ongnyeo makes clear choices based on her strong will, leading to a distinctly different conclusion. In pansori, Ongnyeo, unable to be with people due to the mourning period, leaves alone, resulting in a passive and tragic ending. In changgeuk, Ongnyeo does not succumb to adversity but ultimately becomes a mother who bears life through the fruit of love, embodying hope. Ongnyeo in changgeuk breaks free from the fate of being a woman with a difficult destiny and lives boldly, carving out her own life.

The lyrics and composition were handled by Professor Han Seung-seok of the Department of Traditional Arts at Chung-Ang University. Professor Han preserved the original sounds while incorporating various music styles that stimulate Korean enthusiasm, including binari (narrative chant), folk songs, jeongga (classical vocal music), shamanistic music, and popular songs, adding to the play's excitement. This performance will enrich the music further by adding new instruments such as saenghwang, cheolhyeongeum, daeajaeng, and sogeum to the existing traditional Korean instrument ensemble and expanding the number of musicians, offering a richer and more splendid musical experience.

Director Go Seon-ung and Professor Han Seung-seok, who are the same age, have continuously refined the narrative and supplemented the music to enhance the work's completeness for each revival.

'Byeongangsoe Jeomjjikgo Ongnyeo' Performance Scene [Photo by National Changgeuk Company]

Lee So-yeon and Choi Ho-sung, who joined the changgeuk troupe in 2013 and have consistently worked together since the premiere, continue to perform as Ongnyeo and Byeonggangsoe. Alongside them, Kim Woo-jung and Yoo Tae-pyungyang appear as the new Ongnyeo-Byeonggangsoe couple. Yoo Tae-pyungyang played Byeonggangsoe in the 2019 performance, showcasing a skillful and playful acting style. Kim Woo-jung takes on the role of Ongnyeo for the first time.

In addition to Byeonggangsoe and Ongnyeo, various jangseung characters representing diverse human figures appear. Woo Ji-yong, a seasoned actor who played roles such as the tiger in the changgeuk 'Gwito,' has been newly cast as Daebang Jangseung, who oversees the major and minor affairs of the jangseung. The jangseung couple of Cheongseokgol, who witness Byeonggangsoe and Ongnyeo's first relationship, and distinctive jangseung characters named after various Korean regions such as Hamyang Jangseung, Namwon Jangseung, Haenam Jangseung, and Gangwon Jangseung add to the play's entertainment.

To mark the 10th anniversary, the changgeuk troupe has newly produced jangseung costumes. Jangseung are spiritual objects in Korean life that mark boundaries, ward off evil spirits, and protect against misfortune. The costumes will highlight the jangseung's mystique and dignity while maintaining theatrical humor.

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