A poster for an upcoming “gukgeuk,” or all-female theater, performance at Pungryu, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission and Training Center, in Seoul / Courtesy of Korea Heritage Agency
By Baek Byung-yeul
“Gukgeuk,” a theatrical Korean all-women performance, which has recently gained renewed attention through tvN’s popular drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born,” is set to reconnect with audiences as veteran and emerging actors take the stage next month.
The Korea Heritage Agency announced Thursday that it will host a special gukgeuk performance titled “Korea’s First Woman Opera: The Women Who Became Legends” (translated title) at its Pungryu, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission and Training Center, in Seoul on Dec. 3.
“The agency is presenting a special performance focusing on gukgeuk, which is gaining attention through the tvN drama ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born.’ The production will feature veteran gukgeuk performers as well as modern pansori singers, shedding light on the original form of all-women theater,” the agency said.
Gukgeuk is a comprehensive theatrical form combining singing, dancing and acting, performed exclusively by women, and is known to have been developed in 1948 when renowned singer Park Rok-ju established a women’s gugak (traditional Korean music) club.
Subsequently, gukgeuk gained immense popularity after the 1950-53 Korean War, with approximately 25 gukgeuk troupes existing between 1948 and 1969, according to the agency.
Actors who performed in gukgeuk at the time, such as Lim Chun-aeng and Cho Geum-aeng, became hot stars, and the art form remained well-liked until the popularization of film and TV.
Actors Kim Keum-mi, left, and Park Ji-hyun will perform Prince Seodong and Princess Seonhwa in an upcoming gukgeuk “Princess Seonhwa” at Pungryu, the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Transmission and Training Center, in Seoul, Dec. 3. Courtesy of Korea Heritage Agency
Based on a popular webtoon, the tvN drama centers on the journey of Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri), a naturally talented singer whose life changes after meeting a gukgeuk troupe. The narrative follows her immersion into the world of gukgeuk, a boundary-pushing theatrical tradition where women played all roles.
The special performance in December will be divided into two parts. The first part will feature a talk concert with veteran actors, including Hong Seong-deok, Lee Ok-cheon and Huh Sook-ja, where they will share stories about the birth, golden age and episodes of the all-women’s theater performances, the agency said.
The second part will present the gukgeuk “Princess Seonhwa.” This work, which was popular in the 1950s, tells the story of Prince Seodong of Baekje and Princess Seonhwa of Silla, ancient kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula, who overcame hardships to get married.
Pansori singer and actor Kim Keum-mi will portray Seodong, while Park Ji-hyun will take the role of Seonhwa. Additionally, veteran actors will join the stage to recreate the beauty of gukgeuk that captivated audiences decades ago.
To let more people know about the Korean all-women theatrical tradition, the Korea Heritage Agency said it plans to release videos of the show on its YouTube channel after the live performance.
