Librarians Restore Flood-Damaged Books... The Play "Sasaroun Saseo"

Joint Production by the National Theater Company of Korea and the National Asia Culture Center Foundation

The play "Sasaroun Saseo," a drama set in a public library of a major city that has suffered flood damage, will open at the Myeongdong Art Theater of the National Theater Company of Korea on June 20 and run until June 28.

"Sasaroun Saseo" is a joint production by the National Theater Company of Korea and the National Asia Culture Center Foundation. Since last year, the two institutions have presented highly accomplished works together for the advancement and internationalization of Korean theater, and this year they signed an official business agreement to promote the discovery and diversification of original plays as well as the revitalization of distribution. During its premiere last year, "Sasaroun Saseo" recorded a 94% seat occupancy rate and a 92% audience satisfaction score, receiving enthusiastic acclaim from the audience.

Play 'Sasaroun Saseo'. National Theater Company of Korea

After record-breaking torrential rains hit the Northern Library, which used to be a high school building, the library’s preservation storage was flooded. The preservation storage is where books that are no longer sought after by people are kept. The librarians decide to restore the water-damaged books instead of discarding them. As the library closes temporarily and the restoration work begins, delicate and subtle emotions and hidden stories are revealed through the conversations among the librarians.

"Sasaroun Saseo" is a work that unfolds at a slow pace amid a fast-moving world. Following the process of book restoration, the play confronts past traumas and heals wounds with a gentle perspective. It quietly conveys the message that things that are considered minor or remain on the fringe are not special or lacking, but simply another integral piece in their own place.

Kang Hyunju, who wrote and directed the play, has depicted the everyday lives of ordinary people through plays such as "Weaving the Boat," "99% Genius Diary," and "Cases of Wrong Growth." She was selected for the 2024 Asia Content Performance Creation Program by the National Asia Culture Center.

Director Kang said, "Books contain tens of thousands of different thoughts and philosophies," and added, "I hope that the story of the librarians who decided not to throw away a single book but to restore them all will spread as a message that supports a world where diverse values and the spirit of the times can be welcomed and coexist, becoming the final punctuation mark of the play." She also mentioned, "I hope that, through the quiet conversations among the librarians, the audience can momentarily set aside the burdens of their daily lives and experience healing, recovery, and a time to breathe slowly."

Lee Ji-hyun, who has won the Seoul Theater Festival Acting Award and the Dong-A Theater Award for Best New Actress and has appeared in plays such as "The Orphan of Zhao: Seed of Revenge," as well as dramas like "When Life Gives You Tangerines," "Gyeongseong Creature," and "Dr. Romantic 2, 3," will play the role of Jaeseon, the head of the library’s archive department.

Son Ji-yoon, who has appeared in plays such as "Orphans," "Wife," "Capone Trilogy," and the drama "Wise Resident Life Someday," and who received the 2023 SBS Drama Awards for Best Supporting Actress, will play Jeongyoon, the head of the library's book acquisition team. In addition, actors Park Yong-woo, Jang Ho-in, and Hwang Sang-gyeong will portray librarians and public service workers at the library. After the performance on June 27, there will be a special artist talk session with director Kang Hyunju and the entire cast.

Tickets for "Sasaroun Saseo" can be reserved through the websites of the National Theater Company of Korea and NOL Ticket.

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