Yakiniku Dragon to Go on Stage in Seoul
By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
``Yakiniku Dragon,'' a Korean-Japanese joint production, will make its way to Seoul May 20-25 after wrapping its performance in Japan last month.
The play is a collaboration piece between Chong Wishing ― a third generation Korean-Japanese writer, and Korea's promising director Yang Jung-ung.
``Yakiniku Dragon'' is the name of a Korean barbecue restaurant in Japan. It portrays the daily life of the Korean family that operates the restaurant in the face of adversities in Kansai, Japan in the late 1960s.
The play stars celebrated Korean and Japanese actors such as Shin Chul-jin, Ko Su-hee, Ju In-young, Tetsuya Chiba, Urara Awata and Fusako Urabe.
The play offers a glimpse of Korea-Japan relations through the past, present and future with a blend of humor and pathos through theatrical artistry incorporated with music. It mostly tells the story through the experiences of the family in the Korean-Japanese community and the guests who frequent the restaurant throughout the four seasons.
This production is the second in a series of joint Korea-Japan productions of new works that began with the presentation of ``Across the River'' in May in 2002 in Tokyo and Seoul. ``Across the River'' was then staged again in 2005 in Tokyo and other cities in Japan, and in Seoul.
Following that success, the New National Theatre, Tokyo, which marks its 10th anniversary, has collaborated with Seoul Arts Center, which celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The play seeks Japanese-Korean communication based on Chong's childhood experiences and it is a pleasant and emotional story about the strength of a family.
Chong, who is also a renowned playwright and screenwriter in the Japanese movie and theater industries, was born in Japan as a third-generation Japanese-resident Korean. His life experience is reflected in many characters that appear in his works and the fortitude they show in their lives, smattered with laughter and collective memories of people.
Director Yang was born in 1968 in Seoul, and studied creative writing at the Seoul Institute of the Arts. After working in Korea as a playwright, director and actor, he joined the Lasenkan International Theatre Company, based in Spain, gaining an international approach to non-traditional dance and theatre.
Yang established the Yohangza Theatre Company with a group of young actors in Seoul in 1997, finding his own theatrical world by experimenting with physicality, image and space.
``Yakiniku Dragon'' received rave reviews when it was staged at Japan's New National Theatre in Tokyo April 17-27 for its realistic and touching performances of both the Korean and Japanese actors, inviting a standing ovation.
The play will go on stage at Seoul Arts Center Towol Theater, southern Seoul, May 20-25.
Tickets cost from 20,000 to 40,000 won. Korean and Japanese subtitles will be provided.
For more information, call (02) 580-1301/1400.