Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Why did Nora return to Doll's House?
Woo Mi-hwa, left, and Seo Yi-sook play Nora Helmer in the play “A Doll's House, Part 2,” which is set 15 years on from where Henrik Ibsen's “A Doll's House” concludes. Courtesy of LG Arts Center
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's 1879 work “A Doll's House” is a modern classic. It revolves around an immature and unsophisticated housewife Nora, who is married to wealthy bank manager Torvald. As the play progresses, Nora realizes her strength and eventually walks out on her husband and children, becoming emancipated from an oppressive marital system in a male-dominated society.
Written 140 years ago, the play was revolutionary ― it portrayed the self-actualization of a woman when feminism was a relatively new concept. The play still resonates with today's audiences as many of the issues it raised are still relevant even though women's rights have advanced considerably over the past century.
A 2017 Broadway play “A Doll's House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath picks up after Ibsen's play concludes and unravels a follow-up story of what happened to Nora after she slammed the door on her marriage.
The Korean production is helmed by director Kim Min-jung, whose credits include “Venus in Fur,” “Hedwig” and “Spring Awakening.”
The director thinks that Hnath and Ibsen are basically looking in the same direction.
“They both talk about confronting suppression and irrationality and raising the issue of the human dignity,” Kim said.
The new play features only four characters ― Nora, her husband Torvald Helmer, the family nanny Anne Marie and Nora's daughter Emmy. Veteran actresses Seo Yi-sook and Woo Mi-hwa alternate in the role of Nora; Son Jong-hak and Park Ho-san as Torvald; Jeon Guk-hyang as Anne Marie and Lee Kyung-mi as Emmy.
From left, actors Son Jong-hak, Woo Mi-hwa, Seo Yi-sook and Park Ho-san of “A Doll's House, Part 2” pose for a photo. The play, written by Lucas Hnath is set 15 years on from where Henrik Ibsen's “A Doll's House” concludes. Courtesy of LG Arts Center
Seo, currently starring in MBC drama “The Banker,” is has her roots in theater and played Clytemnestra in the play “Electra” last year. She said when she was first offered the role, she was a bit taken aback considering the stereotypical vapid and passive image of Nora in the original play.
“Nora from the original 'A Doll's House' is a dream role for young actresses, like Hamlet from 'Hamlet' for male actors. It was quite a surprise to hear that I was offered to play her,” Seo said during an interview with The Korea Times in March. “When I heard it was a Part 2 depicting Nora of 15 years later in a totally new play, I thought it was worth giving a shot,”
Woo, the other Nora, is best known for her recent appearance in the hit drama “Sky Castle” as Do-hoon's mom. Woo said she was intrigued by the follow-up story after 15 years and Nora's arguments with her husband, daughter and nanny after she becomes conscious of her rights.
The play starts with Nora returning home after 15 years, now an independent woman who has discovered her identity as an author writing about female rights and society. However, she finds out that Torvald hasn't filed for divorce, thus officially leaving her still married. She enters the Helmer house for the first time in 15 years to demand a divorce.
Even though it is a follow-up, the play is still set in the late 19th century when women could not get a divorce without their husband's consent and cannot run one's own business.
“The one who left has experienced new things and changed. The one who stayed has maintained their thoughts and habits. 'A Doll's House, Part 2' is about the clash between the changed person and the person who hasn't changed. Fifteen years ago, Nora didn't live a self-directed life. She returns home to voice her opinions. Nora thinks she found enlightenment, but as she meets her husband, daughter and nanny, she argues with then and bumps against new walls, just like the Mobius strip,” Seo said.
Woo said Nora has published books on the uselessness of the traditional marriage model, but it is still difficult to persuade those who are close to her.
“Nanny Anne Marie cannot understand Nora's book asserting the futility of marriage. She then runs into objections from her husband and daughter. Her daughter Emmy tells her that her book might lead some women out of their marriages, but Nora didn't feel responsible for their lives afterwards,” Woo said. “Emmy makes Nora look back on her illumination and Nora realizes it is not her problem, but just one of so many problems in this society. She embarks on a journey again to find an answer to those everlasting questions.”
Son, best known as Department Head Ma in the 2014 drama “Misaeng: Incomplete Life,” said the play shows the growth of adults.
“Nora thinks she grew a lot over the past 15 years, but realizes she still has a long way to go after returning home and talking with Torvald, Emmy and Anne Marie. Torvald also learns something by reading Nora's book, and speaking to her, he grows up a bit,” Son said.
Park, who played the “KAIST” character in “Prison Playbook,” said the original play has certain historical significances, but the follow-up brings up new topics for modern society.
“While the original centered on women's roles and rights, Part 2 deals with issues such as equality of humankind, minorities, vested rights and class distinction,” Park said. “But this is not some serious and philosophical play. It's more of a comedy based on arguments, proving the fun of watching someone else fighting.”
The Korean production of “A Doll's House, Part 2” will run from April 10 to 28 at the LG Arts Center in southern Seoul.