Now In Korea
Master Director Son Jin-chaek: Creator of Madangnori Who Puts Actors' Breath Before Sets
Creatrip Team
a month ago
Son Jin-chaek (79) is a towering figure in Korean theatre whose work reshaped modern performance. In 1981 he created the genre called madangnori (open-yard folk-theatre) with a production of Heosaengjeon, emphasizing humor and audience interaction and later founding the Michu troupe in 1986 to cement that style. His aesthetic centers on restraint and subtraction—removing elaborate sets to focus on actors' presence—earning praise for restoring and expanding the original language of Korean theatre. Early works like Hanne’s Ascension (1975) combined traditional Korean rites and movement with narrative, bringing him early acclaim and personal ties (he later married lead actor Kim Sung-nyeo). Ojanggun’s Claw (1988) exemplified his “aesthetics of emptiness,” using minimalist staging to intensify themes of war and loneliness. Wall Fairy (2005) showcased Kim Sung-nyeo performing 32 roles, stretching solo performance boundaries through shadow play, sound, and precise movement. His madangnori series—including Heosaengjeon, Onggojipjeon, Simcheongjeon, Chunhyangjeon and others—has drawn over 2.5 million viewers and won major awards, blending festival atmosphere with theatrical craft. Son remains committed to perfection, personally attending many performances and directing actors closely, maintaining a vital, living presence in Korea’s theatre scene.
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