Highlighting Korea's First Female Film Director Park Nam-ok, National Theater's 'Myeongsagi Apregirl'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The National Theater will premiere the planned performance "Myeongsagi Apregirl" at the Daloreum Theater from the 20th to the 24th.

"Myeongsagi Apregirl" is a work depicting the autonomous life of Park Nam-ok (1923?2017), Korea's first female film director. "Apregirl" is a contemporary neologism referring to the new image of women that emerged after the Korean War. It signifies women who refused to be bound by feudal social structures and customs and sought their own autonomous roles within society.

Park Nam-ok was a representative figure who challenged traditional female roles while living through the turbulent times from the Japanese colonial period to the Korean War. Born in 1923 in Hayang, Gyeongbuk, Park Nam-ok never lost her passion for film despite numerous trials and despair. The film "Widow" (1955) is the only work she left behind, containing not only an honest portrayal of the era but also the intense life of a woman who risked her life to create it.

Park Nam-ok continued filming while carrying her six-month-old baby on her back and personally prepared meals for numerous actors and staff, tirelessly working on set. The National Theater's planned performance "Myeongsagi Apregirl" will vividly portray the postwar situation where a new female image emerged by traversing the life of Park Nam-ok and the time and space within her film "Widow." "Myeongsagi Apregirl" focuses on Park Nam-ok's progressive and challenging life while telling the noble spirit of humans who face trials and overcome them.

The script and direction of "Myeongsagi Apregirl" are handled by writer Ko Yeon-ok and director Kim Kwang-bo, respectively. Writer Ko Yeon-ok explained, "The difficulties Park Nam-ok faced while filming a movie are not much different from the problems women face today," adding, "Park Nam-ok's journey shows how a woman and a human being overcome and move forward."

The latter part of the film "Widow" was lost, so its ending is unknown, but in this work, writer Ko Yeon-ok imagines and presents the ending of the film "Widow." Additionally, actors representing the era such as Kim Shin-jae, Na Ae-sim, and Yoon Sim-deok appear as characters in the play, adding to the entertainment.

Director Kim Kwang-bo stated, "Park Nam-ok's life cannot be simply categorized into success or failure," and added, "Her challenge, which laid the foundation for female directors entering the film industry, will itself resonate deeply with the audience." Director Kim Kwang-bo and writer Ko Yeon-ok have collaborated on more than 20 works over 20 years since their first project "The World's First Kiss" in 2001.

Actor Lee So-yeon of the National Changgeuk Company, who plays the lead role of 'Park Nam-ok'
[Photo by National Theater ⓒ Hwang Pil-ju]

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The music is composed by composer Na Sil-in, who is actively working across genres such as musical theater, ballet, and opera. Other creative team members include choreographer Geum Bae-seop, stage designer Park Sang-bong, video designer Jung Jae-jin, lighting designer Lee Dong-jin, costume designer Kim Ji-yeon, and prop designer Jung Yoon-jung.

"Myeongsagi Apregirl" is a work involving all three resident groups of the National Theater: the National Changgeuk Company, the National Dance Company, and the National Gugak Orchestra. It is the first time in 10 years since the 2011 national brand performance "Hwaseon Kim Hong-do" that all three resident groups have appeared on the same stage.

The lead role of Park Nam-ok is double-cast with Lee So-yeon, a leading actress of the National Changgeuk Company, and guest sorikkun Kim Ju-ri. The two actors previously showed different charms on stage as double casts for the character "Ongnyeo," who autonomously carves her destiny, in the National Changgeuk Company's 2019 performance "Byeonggangsoe Jeomjjikgo Ongnyeo." Other representative actors from the National Changgeuk Company participating include Kim Ji-sook (Kim Shin-jae role), Kim Mi-jin (immigrant role), Kim Joon-su (Lee Taek-gyun role), Lee Kwang-bok (Kim Young-joon role), Jo Yoo-ah (Bang Young-ja role), Min Eun-kyung (Na Ae-sim role), Yoo Taepyeongyang (Shin Dong-hoon role), and Lee Yeon-ju (Bang Young-ja role).

In the National Dance Company, principal dancer Jang Hyun-soo is in charge of collaborative choreography, and six dancers?Jeon Jeong-ah, Park Joon-myung, Park Soo-yoon, Park So-young, Lee Tae-woong, and Lee Do-yoon?will perform on stage. Additionally, seven musicians from the National Gugak Orchestra?Jang Kwang-soo (daegeum), Kim Hyung-seok (piri), Jang Jae-kyung (haegeum), Seo Hee-sun (gayageum), Son Seong-yong (geomungo), Jung Jae-eun (ajaeng), and Lee Yoo-jin (percussion)?will participate. Along with piano, drums, guitar, and bass players, a total of 11 musicians will be involved.

This performance will implement "two seats apart" seating in accordance with the social distancing measures set by the quarantine authorities.

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