This Week’s Figures: Lee Sang Literature Prize Winner Wi Su-jeong, Monochrome Master Jeong Sang-hwa Passes, Gugak Idol Kim Jun-su Tackles Theater
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Wi Su-jeong won the 49th Lee Sang Literature Grand Prize for her short story "Snow and Pebbles," a lyrical tale of loss following two travelers carrying a friend’s ashes to Japan. A decade after debuting in 2017, Wi said the award brings both responsibility and confidence and that she experimented with less conventionally complete narrative forms in the prize story. Jeong Sang-hwa, a leading figure of Korea’s monochrome painting movement (dansak-hwa), died at 93. Trained at Seoul National University, Jeong developed a signature method of "peeling off and filling in" to expand monochrome grid painting; his works are held by major museums including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and international collections. Gugak (traditional Korean music) singer and former National Changgeuk Company member Kim Jun-su left the troupe and will make his theatrical debut as Lady Macbeth in a martial-arts reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth titled "Kallo Macbeth." Kim said the role is a bold new challenge and an opportunity to show his continued artistic growth; the production is part of theater troupe Mabangjin’s 20th anniversary season.
