Jeongdong Theater's Signature Pansori Musical 'Jeokbyeok' Opens on the 13th of Next Month

The National Jeongdong Theater announced on the 13th that the pansori musical 'Jeokbyeok' will open on March 13.

Jeokbyeok is a work that premiered at Jeongdong Theater in 2017 and has become a representative piece of the theater, producing numerous fans. Thanks to its high popularity since the premiere, it was performed annually until 2020, and after the 2022 performance, it will return to the Jeongdong Theater stage for the sixth time in three years.

Jeokbyeok is a stage adaptation of the pansori 'Jeokbyeokga' with a modern sensibility added, featuring dynamic choreography and powerful pansori chorus that leave a strong impression.

'Jeokbyeok' performance scene [Photo provided by National Jeongdong Theater]

'Jeokbyeok' performance scene [Photo provided by National Jeongdong Theater]

In this season's performance, costumes and music have been further improved. The basic costumes, which have shown a simple modern aesthetic, have been enhanced with design elements through the visualization and partial deconstruction of armor. Additionally, the movement and spatial sense of the costumes, such as double-sided pleated skirts, have been improved to allow the actors' movements to be more dynamic. The music focused on clarifying the character of each scene and went through a process of refining tempo control and some heterogeneous numbers.

Director Jeong Hobung said, "I hope the audience will appreciate it not only as a story of historical heroes but also as literature and performance of the people," and added, "Please look forward to Jeokbyeok, which will continue to change and develop."

In accordance with the gender-free casting that transcends gender and age, characteristic of pansori performances, the roles are cast without distinction between male and female. The role of 'Jojo' is played by Lee Seunghee and Chu Hyeonjong, 'Yubi' by Jeong Jihye and Lee Geonhee. 'Gwanwoo' is played by Lee Jaebak, and 'Jangbi' by Kim Euihwan. Im Jisoo plays 'Gongmyeong,' and Kim Hayun plays 'Jaryong,' both maintaining their roles from the premiere through the sixth performance. The 'Dochang,' who narrates and develops the story, is played by Park Jahi and Kim Sojin. In total, 23 sorikkun will complete the explosive energy on stage.

Jeong Seongsuk, CEO of the National Jeongdong Theater, said, "We actively prepared and promoted the pansori musical Jeokbyeok to firmly establish it as a representative repertoire of the National Jeongdong Theater on the occasion of the theater's 30th anniversary." She added, "As a work that has been steadily loved under the keyword of expanding traditional content, we hope that Jeokbyeok, returning with a new look, will be known to even more people on this stage."

Jeokbyeok will be performed for about a month until April 20. Tickets can be reserved from the 13th on the official website of the National Jeongdong Theater and Interpark Ticket. All seats are priced at 70,000 won.

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