First Session : Original Forms of Korean Theater

Starting with Nahee(儺戱), the ancient masked dance purifies the site, the courtyard (Madang) of National Theater Company near Seoul Station, the festival continues with the traditional shaman ritual, GUT performed by PARK Jeong-wook, a master traditional singer and whose dramatic improvisation has been acclaimed by critics. And one of the national masters, LEE Yoon-seok and his Goseong Ogwangdae group’s traditional mask dance will be followed.

Second Session : A New Creation based on Tradition

One of dramatic characters from the story of the mask dance, Goseong Ogwandae, BB appears in a convenient store in Seoul in 2018 in order to find and eat up a nasty aristocrat and enter the heaven. Who will be the evil aristocrat of our era? This contemporized mask dance shines with humor and parody reminding us our shameful portrait of capitalism.

“Heaven opens with special connections of schools, hometowns and families, also with the land price, bitcoins and lotteries!”

“You must be a yangban(aristocrat) since you know all of that too well!”

Last Session : Open Talk – Anecdotes

Theater directors share their anecdotes regarding their attempt to incorporate the elements of the Korean traditional performing arts in their recent theatrical creations. This is a rare chance to listen to their stories of the clashes and challenges which will hopefully be led to a productive contemplation of new forms for the new era.

Festival Program Director, Kim Hak-soo

He started his acting career in the Michoo Theater Company and took part in various works. His interest in traditional theater led him to the School of Korean Traditional Arts in the Korea National University of Arts. After graduation, he inherited the Namsadang Nori and also served as art director for the Korea Yeonhui Troupe. Establishing the SaniNeomeo Theater Company in 2013, he has presented experimental plays that break the boundary between modern and tradition theater.

He also oversees and serves as a director for [The First Madang, plays in the old days], and is in charge of script for Nahee儺戱, and direction for Searching for the Yangban

Major Works

Directing includes <Wandering Mother Courage>, <Jae-In Chung, Osan, Gyeongi Province>, <Chief, Choe Yong>, <Sandaehui, spring of, Gwanghwamun>, <Maids, the Papin Sisters>, <Park Chumji Returns>, <Fly, Ishimi>

Acting includes <Park Chumji Returns>, <Notes from the Dead House II>, <The Joke>, <Psychopath>, <Brasilia>, <Spring of King Sejo>, <Folks living in underground>, <The Insane>, <King Sejo>, <King Lear>, <No Sleepless Night>

Awards

2014<Park Chumji Returns> Best Producion, The Seoul Theater Award

2014<Sanjeonsujeon> Excellent Prize for Creative Yeonhui,

Korean Traditional Performing Arts Foundation

2010<Shinmyeong> Grand Prize for Creative Yeonhui,

Bucheon World Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo