Original Opera "Hwajeonga" to Premiere Next Month... Depicting the Lives of Women on the Eve of the Korean War

The play "Hwajeonga," which was originally premiered by the National Theater Company of Korea in 2020 to critical acclaim, is being reborn as an opera.

On September 17, the National Opera Company held a production presentation at N Studio in the Seoul Arts Center and announced that the original opera, sharing the same title and based on the play "Hwajeonga," will be performed at the Opera Theater of the Seoul Arts Center on October 25 and 26.

"Hwajeonga" is set in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, in April 1950, just before the outbreak of war. During a time when the threat of war loomed and ideological conflicts were widespread, the men had either died or were imprisoned, swept up in the turmoil of history. The play focuses on a household where the men are absent, exploring the lives of women and the hidden stories behind historical events from their perspective.

The stage features nine female vocalists, with no male singers. The characters, including Mrs. Kim, her aunt, her three daughters and daughters-in-law, and other village women, gather to celebrate Mrs. Kim's 60th birthday. Instead of a grand banquet, Mrs. Kim suggests they go on a "Hwajeonnori," a flower-viewing picnic. The women cook, share stories through the night, and comfort each other's wounds.

Sangho Choi, director of the National Opera Company, is explaining the original opera "Hwajeonga" at the production presentation held on the 17th at N Studio in the Seoul Arts Center.
Photo by National Opera Company

Sangho Choi, director of the National Opera Company, promised upon his appointment in February 2023 to create original operas that represent Korea, and is now bringing "Hwajeonga" to the stage. Director Choi stated, "Ultimately, the goal the National Opera Company wants to achieve is to expand overseas. After much consideration about what subject matter could be accessible and relatable to foreign audiences, we chose 'Hwajeonga.'"

Director Choi further explained, "'Hwajeonga' contains the pains we are experiencing today, such as generational conflict and communication breakdown, and also carries a message of restoring community."

The creative team behind the musical "Jeokro"-playwright Bae Samsik, composer Choi Woojung, and director Jung Youngdoo-have reunited for this project. Jung Youngdoo, a choreographer by training, garnered attention last year as a nominee for the Laurence Olivier Award, the most prestigious honor in the British theater scene, for his work on the changgeuk "Lear." With "Hwajeonga," he makes his debut as an opera director.

Director Jung Youngdoo commented that the historical setting of the play will maximize the appeal of opera, where singing takes center stage.

"This is a story set two to three months before the outbreak of the Korean War, with men holding opposing political stances. At times, they could even kill each other. The situation itself is already highly dramatic and intense. I believe that in Bae Samsik's work, the drama unfolds not outwardly, but within the inner worlds of characters placed in extreme situations. Since opera is a genre where singing is central, I think that, given the intense dramatic conflict already present in the story, whoever sings will naturally bring out the internal drama."

Jung Youngdoo, the director of the National Opera Company's original opera "Hwajeonga," is explaining the work at the production presentation held on the 17th at the N Studio of the Seoul Arts Center.
Photo by National Opera Company

Since the opera is set in Andong, the use of the Andong dialect by the vocalists is expected to add to the work's charm.

Mezzo-soprano Lee Akyung, who plays Mrs. Kim, said, "I will mainly use standard Korean for the arias, but will speak in the Andong dialect for the dialogue," adding that she plans to receive special training in the dialect.

Lee Akyung, who celebrates her 30th anniversary this year, is a leading mezzo-soprano in Korea, having won first place as the first Korean at the Bellini Competition and sweeping six other competitions. The role of the aunt will be performed by mezzo-soprano Kim Sunjung, who appeared in last year's National Opera Company production of "The Italian Girl in Algiers." The eldest daughter-in-law, Jangrimdaek, will be played by soprano Choi Hyekyung; the eldest daughter, Geumsil, by soprano Oh Yeeun; the second daughter, Park Sil, by soprano Lee Miyoung; Bong-a by soprano Yoon Sanga; the second daughter-in-law, Youngjudaek, by soprano Kim Sujeong; Dokgol Grandma by mezzo-soprano Lim Eunkyung; and Hongdari-daek by soprano Yang Jaekyung.

The conductor will be Song Anhun, who made history as the first Asian principal conductor at the Osnabr?ck Municipal Theater in Germany, leading the National Symphony Orchestra. Costumes will be designed by Kim Youngjin, CEO of the fashion hanbok brand Chai Kim, who previously worked on the drama "Mr. Sunshine" and the film "Love, Lies."