The Forever Unhealed Memories of That Day

Baesogoji: A Pond in the Memory brings to the stage the real-life civilian massacre that occurred during the Korean War

at Baesogoji near Okjeongho Lake in Imsil-gun County, Jeollabuk-do Province, Korea.

The play intertwines the past and present as the characters gradually confront painful memories that have long festered—memories so distressing that they had never had the courage to revisit before.

Through their journey of delving into and healing these wounds,

which they have never forgotten for a moment, the production offers a poignant and realistic portrayal of the tragic impact of war on individual lives.

Solidarity of Resilient Women Beyond Suffering
The four female protagonists, though their choices lead them down different paths,

ultimately recognize that they are all fragile and vulnerable in the face of the immense violence of war.

They come to realize that each of them is a victim of war, enduring a heart-wrenching existence.

The story of how these women transcend their own pain to embrace each other’s wounds

and achieve solidarity delivers a powerful emotional impact and deep resonance.

Synopsis
One fall evening in 2016, two friends sit together at a spicy fish stew restaurant near Okjeongho Lake

in Imsil-gun County: Ip-bun, who is preparing for her 75th wedding anniversary the next day,

and Sun-hee, the restaurant owner and Ip-bun's childhood friend.

As they stare into the distance, seemingly waiting for someone, a figure from their past, Baek So-nyeo, appears as a young girl.

However, So-nyeo does not remember how or why she died; she wonders why Sun-hee runs the restaurant alone and why the once talkative Ip-bun has remained silent for so long.

As the girl struggles to understand how she has come to be here,

the two women begin to reveal the truth that they’ve kept in their hearts for decades. 

2024 Special Invitational Program Picknic

The 2024 Special Invitational Program Picknic is designed to bring exceptional productions by private theater companies to a wider audience,

fostering mutual growth and revitalizing the theater community.

Through this partnership with private theater companies,

we seek to fulfill our mission as a national arts organization while providing the public with access to outstanding performances that enhance and expand their theatrical experience.

The name of the program, Picknic, is a blend of the words “pick,” representing the selection made by the National Theater Company of Korea,

and “picnic,” suggesting a fun and enjoyable outing to the theater.

Starting in the summer of 2024, this initiative will continue for the next three years, engaging audiences during both the summer and winter seasons.