Sayart.net - National Changgeuk Company of Korea Presents Modern Twist on Traditional Pansori with ＂Shimcheong-ga＂ for Chuseok Holiday

Members of the National Changgeuk Company of Korea rehearse a scene from "Shimcheong-ga." (The National Theater of Korea)

The National Changgeuk Company of Korea, recognized for its innovative reinterpretations of traditional changgeuk performances, is bringing a traditional Korean pansori, "Shimcheong-ga," to audiences during the Chuseok holiday season.

This production is rooted in the classic Korean pansori and the age-old tale of Sim Cheong, a young girl whose selfless sacrifice for the king of the underwater world is driven by her desire to restore her father's sight.

The "sori," or singing, of pansori takes center stage in this performance, with Director Sohn Jin-chaek emphasizing its paramount importance. He stated, "The most important thing is the ‘sori.’ This work was created with the idea of producing the most delightful sounds."

Changgeuk, a form akin to Korean opera, finds its origins in pansori, the country's traditional narrative singing style recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. In traditional pansori, a single performer stands on stage with a drummer ("gosu"), while in changgeuk, multiple artists assume diverse roles. Occasionally, a narrator ("dochang") guides the storytelling.

Director Sohn emphasized their approach: "We are not merely adding Korean elements to Western plays; rather, we are reimagining pansori within the original framework of changgeuk."

The changgeuk rendition of "Shimcheong-ga" premiered in 2018 as part of an initiative to modernize the Five Pansori classics, maintaining the core pansori structure while condensing the narrative song to around two hours, focusing on essential narratives. The production features a minimal stage design, accentuating the singing with wooden benches, chairs, and walls. Performers, at times, incorporate fans into their acts, resembling boatman's paddles during ensemble performances.

"'Shimcheong-ga' embodies the very essence of pansori. The power of pansori is tremendous, and I have incorporated choral elements to amplify that power," explained Sohn.

Notably, the narrator-like "dochang" character is portrayed by Kim Kum-mi, infusing fresh sounds and seamless transitions into the performance.

Catch "Shimcheong-ga" from September 26 to October 1 at the National Theater of Korea’s Daloreum Theater, and experience the modern twist on traditional pansori during the Chuseok holiday.

Sayart.net

Kang In sig, insig6622@naver.com