CreatripTeam

To mark its 30th anniversary, the National Jeongdong Theater premieres Seopyeonje: The Original as a soriguk (traditional Korean vocal theater). Directed by Go Seon-ung with music director Han Seung-seok, the production adapts the novel and film’s story—an estranged father seeking to fulfill an unrealized singer’s dream through his daughter, and a blind girl—exploring human han (deep sorrow/resentment) and the path of art. The company showcased key scenes from Act I, including a moving exchange where the father sings a passage from Chunhyangga, and the show features 22 pieces drawn from the five pansori (traditional narrative singing) repertoires—Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Heungboga, Sugungga, and Jeokbyeokga—alongside folk songs and shorter dan-ga excerpts. Go said the production connects pansori passages to the singers’ relationships and emotions rather than following conventional character narratives, arranging contrasting musical moments to mirror emotional cycles. The two-act piece runs through Nov. 9 at the National Jeongdong Theater.