Thespian Kim Sung-nyo talks life on stage
Scenes from the musical “Arirang” based on Jo Jung-rae’s epic novel. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Veteran actress portrays strong mother in musical 'Arirang'
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Actress Kim Sung-nyo's life began in the theater. Her mother was Park Ok-jin, a top actress in "yeoseong gukgeuk," an all-female genre of theater performance that was popular in Korea during the 1950s. Her father was a writer-director for gukgeuk. Raised in the community of her parent's traveling troupe, Kim began treading the boards at the age of five.
Kim now appears in the musical adaptation of Jo Jung-rae's epic series "Arirang" at LG Arts Center in southern Seoul. The 12-volume epic saga revolving around a grass roots life during the turbulent era under Japanese colonial rule (1910-45) is compressed into a 160-minute theatrical show.
Even for a veteran such as 64-year-old Kim, who spent her whole life as a thespian on Korean and Western stages, musical "Arirang" introduced her to something new.
"This is the first time that I have ever acted in the ensemble, as a part of the crowd. And this is also first time that my bow during the curtain call is not the last one," Kim said in an interview with The Korea Times.
Actress Kim Sung-nyo, right, rehearses a scene for the musical “Arirang.” She plays Gamgol-daek, a relentless mother of three, in the musical depicting grassroots life under Japanese colonial rule (1910-45). / Courtesy of Seensee Company
The actress has been playing protagonists throughout her life, but not this time. However, Kim seems to embrace the change naturally.
"I am an actress and I will continue learning from the stage as long as I live. I truly appreciate the ensemble's efforts to support the leading roles so that they can shine brighter on stage," Kim said. "I think it is going to be a rite of passage for me to enjoy being on stage, not as a heroine but just as an actress."
In "Arirang," Kim takes on the role of Gamgol-daek, a tough and relentless mother of three, and portrays how the strong woman survives through harsh times.
"Characters in Arirang are not original or inventive, but have been reprised many times in books, movies and plays in our history. Independence fighters, nobles, stoic mothers and ravaged women are nothing new, but they still resonate with modern-day audiences," Kim said. "Gamgol-daek represents the motherly love and it does not change over time, drawing empathy from the audience. Woman like Gamgol-daek and her daughter Su-guk protected our country."
Kim thinks this is the right time to stage the theatrical based on Korea’s most famous folk song.
"The era of multiculturalism is coming and the definition of Arirang might change in the near future. The younger generation might not know the song as we do now," Kim said.
As Kim mentioned, the musical centers on the famous folk song Arirang
the song that Koreans sing when they are happy and sad. Arirang is reprised throughout the show from regional versions of Jeongseon, Miryang and Jindo to modern renditions
it is sung when Gamgol-daek reminisces about her eldest son sold to Hawaiian plantation and when the independence fighters gird their loins before the rebellion.
"There are numerous versions of Arirang in Korea. Each region has different Arirang, just like dialect. This is the song that Koreans lived with," Kim said. "The most popular one nowadays would be the new Arirang featured in the Na Woon-gyu's 1926 film 'Arirang,' which is sung in the second act of the show. But there are many more variations
I sing Jeongseon Arirang originated from Gangwon Province."
During the rehearsal, Kim was surprised to see younger actors unfamiliar with the traditional variations of the song. "Maybe it symbolizes how the young generation is unaware of Korean traditional music. But it still flows in the veins of Koreans.”
The musical employs "pansori," or Korean traditional narrative music, in a part of storytelling. Kim, also serves as the art director for the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, previously collaborated with Koh Sun-woong, director of the musical "Arirang." Changgeuk is Korean traditional opera and Koh directed one of the company's hit "Ongnyeo."
"Working for changgeuk opened up Koh's ears for Korean traditional music and it expanded the possibilities of his work as well. If he hadn't directed changgeuk and appreciated the beauty of Korean traditional music, he wouldn't choose a pansori singer Ok-bi as one of main characters of the show," Kim explained. "This is a win-win for the show and Korean music."
Kim described her life as an actress as "survival." "Acting on stage is not like winning a gold medal. I lived through this age on stage and I am grateful for that," she said. "I have been keeping my life, my family and my troupe like Gamgol-daek and appear on stage as long as I can."
The musical “Arirang” runs through Sept. 5. For more information, visit www.iseensee.com or call (02) 577-1987.