CreatripTeam

The National Theater of Korea opened Anthropolis, a five-part stage cycle based on Thebes’ tragic lineage in Greek myth, on Oct. 10 at Myeongdong Art Theater. Directors Yoon Hansol and Kim Sujeong helm Parts 1 and 2 respectively. Part 1, “Prologue/Dionysos” (Oct. 10–26), directed by Yoon, stages Thebes’ founding and the rise of Dionysos, using music, dance, live cameras and a large cast (18 actors and five live musicians) to convey cultural collision and contemporary resonance. Yoon said he adapted speech-heavy passages into songs to help Korean audiences engage and deliberately used rough live camera footage to create distance for reflection. Part 2, “Laios” (Nov. 6–22), directed by Kim, is the only original piece among the five and reframes King Laios (father of Oedipus) as protagonist; it’s performed as a one-person show by actress Jeon Hye-jin, who plays multiple roles. Both directors emphasized making ancient Greek tragedy feel immediate in 2025 Korea and questioned why cycles of violence and suffering repeat across generations. (Note: Anthropolis is the title of the five-part production; Thebes is the ancient Greek city; Dionysos and Laios are figures from Greek mythology.)