SEOUL – Acclaimed director Ko Sun-woong has unveiled his latest work, the sorikkuk (a traditional Korean vocal drama) 'Seopyeonje; The Original,' as the 30th-anniversary commemorative performance for the National Jeongdong Theater. Based on the novella by Yi Cheong-jun, this new adaptation, running from October 17 to November 9, strips away the layers of previous film, musical, and changgeuk adaptations to focus purely on the essence of sori (sound or song).
At a press conference on October 17 at the National Jeongdong Theater, director Ko Sun-woong shared his deep connection to the source material: "I cried profusely when I watched the movie 'Seopyeonje.' I aimed to create a sorikkuk that accurately embodies the 'Han' (deep-seated sorrow or resentment) of the pansori singer father and daughter, making it a long-remembered piece." He expressed his dedication to the late author, Yi Cheong-jun, stating, "I approached this work with the hope that Mr. Yi Cheong-jun would be happy to see it."
The performance faithfully follows the original narrative, tracing the journey of a father and daughter—referred to only as 'Father,' 'Girl,' and 'Man'—as they wander in pursuit of true sori. This deliberate omission of names, the director noted, is intended to represent the lives of countless anonymous sorikkun who roamed in service of their art.
The visual minimalism of the production emphasizes the starkness of their path. The stage, a large rotating circular platform, is largely empty, to be filled only by the performers' voices. The Father and Girl, barefoot, walk and walk—a visual metaphor for the rigorous, painstaking discipline required to master pansori, a process the Father equates to developing 'calluses' through endless practice.
The narrative reaches its devastating climax when the Father blinds the Girl, a brutal act intended to instill the requisite 'Han' that he believes is essential for her art, ensuring she will never abandon it. Director Ko addressed the difficulty of this scene in a modern context, arguing that "cruel and violent as it may be, it must be fully permissible as literature."
The drama is structured around 22 pieces, incorporating core segments (daemok) from the five major pansori repertoires (Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Heungboga, etc.) and traditional folk songs (minyo). A particularly poignant moment features the blind Girl singing the 'Farewell Song' (Ibyeolga) from Chunhyangga upon separating from her father, a moment that powerfully compounds the tragic dimensions of their relationship.
The cast features distinguished traditional vocalists. The role of the Father is shared by Im Hyun-bin (Conductor of the Namwon City Traditional Music Orchestra) and Ahn Yi-ho (of the band Leenalchi). Kim Woo-jung (National Changgeuk Company member) and Park Ji-hyun (a pansori singer and student at Seoul National University) alternate as the Girl.
During the final rehearsal, the actors emphasized the emotional intensity of the piece. Park Ja-hee, who plays the dual roles of Naengi and Cheonsi, admitted she "shed tears and blew her nose constantly" during rehearsals due to the deep resonance with a sorikkun's life. Co-star Seo Jin-sil offered a practical piece of advice for the audience: "Bring your handkerchiefs. You will cry a lot."
'Seopyeonje; The Original,' a potent revival of a Korean cultural landmark, runs until November 9. The production is a fitting tribute for the National Jeongdong Theater's 30th anniversary, underscoring the timeless power of pansori and the profound, enduring sorrow it conveys.
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