[On Stage] Stunning Cast Draws Attention... Play 'Kkot-ui Bimil' Directed by Jang Jin "The Pressure Is Great, But..."

Lee Yeonhee, Ahn Sohee, Gong Seungyeon, Jang Youngnam, Lee El and More Join the Cast
Opens February 8 at Link Art Center Bugs Hall in Daehangno

Director Jang Jin stood on the stage of Yes24 Stage 3 in Daehangno on February 19, 2023, where the play 'Seotun Saramdeul' (Clumsy People) was performed. It was to express his gratitude to the audience on the last day of the performance as a director. While giving his speech, Jang made a remark implying that he did not need government support. It was assumed to be a typical grumble like, "Since government support is insufficient anyway, I won't accept it."

However, at the press conference for the play 'Kkot-ui Bimil' (The Secret of Flowers) held on the 15th at the Daehangno Artists' House, Director Jang explained that his words had a completely different meaning. He emphasized that it was not dissatisfaction with the government but a willingness to forgo support so that his colleagues could receive it.

"It meant that I personally would not receive support, not the entire theater community. The theater production environment is very difficult, and most producers heavily rely on government support. Government support is absolutely necessary. Fortunately, when I produce plays, famous actors tend to participate. There are many works that are not commercially verified and really need help, so I thought I should not take support and take away opportunities from my colleagues."

As he said, 'Kkot-ui Bimil' boasts a glamorous cast rarely seen in other plays. Actors well-known from movies and TV such as Jung Young-joo, Jang Young-nam, Jo Jae-yoon, Choi Young-jun, Lee El, Lee Yeon-hee, Kim Seul-gi, Ahn So-hee, and Gong Seung-yeon appear in large numbers.

The protagonists are four married women from an Italian rural village of different generations. The play deals with a commotion caused by the wives trying to claim a large insurance payout while their husbands are away watching a soccer match.

This performance was arranged to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the premiere of 'Kkot-ui Bimil.' The play premiered in 2015 and was performed again in 2016 and 2019. The fourth performance opens on February 8 at the Link Art Center Bugs Hall in Daehangno and runs until May 11.

Since it is the fourth performance in 10 years, the work has already been publicly verified. However, Director Jang said the pressure is great.

"Audience laughter, that is, tastes in comedy, seem to change very drastically. From a producer's perspective, you can't help but be really nervous. Even if this work was a hit in previous performances, relying on past success is a very risky thought. So I am very tense and thinking of new laughter, performing with the same mindset as the premiere."

Because they must always try new things to keep up with rapidly changing audience tastes, the pressure to succeed in performances is always high.

"If production is funded by capital for commercial theater, the producer's basic principle seems to be to ensure it does not fail. Whether film or theater, it is natural to think that losses should not be incurred. From a director's point of view, when thinking about success, if it just breaks even or causes almost no loss, I think everyone involved in production would be happy."

Therefore, even when saying he will not accept government support, it is sometimes difficult to completely let go of lingering attachments. Director Jang said that is why he often says he will not accept government support. "I always think I won't rely on government support, but I often say this so I don't accidentally apply for support. I think this might encourage colleagues in similar situations to refrain from applying for support."

From the left, Park Seon-ok, Jeong Young-joo (both playing Sophia), Jang Young-nam, Lee El, Jo Yeon-jin (both playing Jasmine), Lee Yeon-hee, Ahn So-hee, Gong Seung-yeon (all playing Monica), Kim Seul-gi, Park Ji-ye (both playing Gina) [Photo by Park Company]

Currently, Korean society is experiencing extreme chaos. Many people are clashing and stressed due to political situations. What meaning does comedy have in such a conflict-ridden extreme situation? Director Jang said comedy should shine when social turmoil is severe.

"I learned that comedy should contain sharp satire about the times. It scratches the itchy parts of society and talks about the world we live in through that exhilaration. All satire is directed at power groups and the powerful, and from that perspective, I think comedy should shine in a world like today."

However, he said there is a change in his attitude toward viewing the world compared to the past, and thus he feels another existential value of theater.

"In the past, I would have been sharp about the current chaotic situation and thought that was the right thing to do. Now, I think I should listen to people who think differently from me. Among the audience, there may be generations I cannot understand at all, or people with political views different from mine. If people with different thoughts watch the same play, laugh together, and empathize even briefly, I think it narrows some of the (divided) gaps existing in this society. If there is a final goal that a comedy writer can reach from a public interest perspective, I think that might be it."

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