Sokcho Theater Company Parambool Joins Korea-Japan Theater Exchange 'Beautiful Stranger Project'

Performances at Tokyo Keynote Theater from October 3 to 4
A unique stage where Korean actors perform the Japanese play,
and Japanese actors perform the Korean play

The theater company Parambool, based in Sokcho City, Gangwon Province, is collaborating with the Japanese troupe FUTURE EMOTION to stage the international exchange project 'Beautiful Stranger Project.' The performance will take place from October 3 to October 4 at the Keynote Theater in Tokyo, Japan, and will explore the wounds of war and history, as well as the theme of 'strangers' in different eras.

Poster for the international exchange project 'Beautiful Stranger Project'. Provided by Sokcho City.

This project began with artists from both countries interpreting the concept of a 'stranger.' The term refers to 'a foreigner, an outsider, or someone who cannot blend in,' and such individuals exist both in times of war and in the peaceful present. The message is that, while we may perceive each other as strangers, art can serve as a medium to unite us as 'one.'

The stage will feature two original plays based on true stories. 'June 26,' written by Korean playwright Jang Taejun, depicts the lives of two men who lost their nationality and names during war and inevitably became strangers. 'After Living,' by Japanese playwright Sakadani Hitoshi, presents another perspective on the life of a stranger through the story of Tamie, a Japanese woman, and her Korean daughter Miyoung, set during the Japanese occupation and the period following liberation.

Notably, this performance will use a cross-casting approach: Korean actors will perform the Japanese play, and Japanese actors will perform the Korean play, offering new interpretations of each other's histories and characters. The Korean play 'June 26' will be directed by Sakadani Hitoshi, with actors Matsui Morihiro and Kaida Masayuki starring. The Japanese play 'After Living' will be directed by Jang Taejun, with actors Kim Choe and Shin Jihye taking the stage.

Performances will be held three times: at 7:00 p.m. on October 3, and at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on October 4. The ticket price is 3,000 yen.

The project is co-hosted by Parambool and FUTURE EMOTION, with support from Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and the Gangwon Cultural Foundation. In particular, it has been selected as part of the Gangwon Cultural Foundation's international exchange support program for 2025, providing an opportunity for Sokcho artists to step onto the global stage.

A representative from Parambool stated, "This project is not just about sharing the pain of the past, but also about building harmony, understanding, and a sense of 'us' for the present and future. We hope that audiences will gain new perspectives from a stage where artists from both countries perform together."

Performance information is available on the FUTURE EMOTION website, Japanese ticketing sites, Instagram, and Facebook.

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