Revisiting colonial rule

People cheer as Korea was freed from Japanese rule on Aug. 15, 1945. Korea Times file

Various events mark 70th anniversary of Korea's independence from Japan

By Do Je-hae

Actor Lee Soon-jae rehearses for “Yoo Min Ga.” / Courtesy of K_Art Planet

On Aug. 15, 1945, Korea regained independence from a 35-year Japanese rule with the end of World War II. The 70th anniversary of independence from Japan is a huge theme in Korea’s cultural scene this year.

A wide range of events in theater, music and entertainment will revolve around themes related to the Japanese colonial era (1910-1945). The government will launch preparations for the 70th anniversary which falls on Aug. 15 by establishing a committee at the Office of the Prime Minister sometime this month.

Theater

Actor Lee Soon-jae, who has had a prolific career on small and big screen for more than 60 years, will star in a play entitled “Yoo Min Ga,” a tale of family’s hardships during the colonial period. The play will open on Friday and run through Jan. 18 at the Mary Hall at Seogang University.

The 1949 Yoo Min Ga by Kim Dong-shik is a play that was published in Korea’s first drama magazine after independence. "Not much is known about the writer because he developed his career in North Korea,” Sung Han-ryong, producer of the play, said in a statement.

The story is about the hardships of Lee Man-soo and his family who moved to Tokyo to flee Japan’s oppressive rule.

Lee’s return to theater is a happy occasion for many theatergoers. He has made intermittent appearances in theater, including the 2014 “Love Tune.” In 2008, he appeared in several plays -- “The Taming of the Shrew,” “The Odd Couple,” “Look Homeward, Angel”and Cyrano.”

Musical “Arirang,” which starts in July at LG Art Center, covers various events starting 1910 until the fall of the Japanese rule.

“Hero,” which follows the life of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun (1879-1910), will be staged in China next month. Ahn was executed today in a Chinese prison for his 1909 assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito (1841-1909), who had masterminded Japan’s annexation of Korea

Jun Ji-hyeon and Lee Jeong-jae will star in Choi Dong-hoon’s “Assassination” set during the Japanese rule.

Entertainment

Choi Dong-hoon’s “Assassination” featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Ha Jung-woo, Jun Ji-hyeon and Lee Jeong-jae, is set during the Japanese rule.

The story takes place in Shanghai where a small band of fighters are ordered by the resistance government to take out a pro-Japanese group in the 1930s. “Wednesday,” to be released in the latter half of the year, is a story about a sexual assault victim who meets an old women suffering from her experience as a sexual slave for the Japanese army during World War II. They help each other heal their psychological wounds. KBS will run a documentary next month about “Jingbirok,” a Joseon Kingdom War memoir and Yoo Sung-ryong, a prime minister under King Sunjo who managed the several wars against Japan in the late 16th century.

Exhibitions

Museums around the country will hold exhibitions with the Japanese colony theme.

The Masan City Museum will hold a photography exhibition until March 30, where visitors will be able to see rare photos of the times.

The Haegumgang Theme Museum in Geoje Island will hold an exhibition until Jan. 20, featuring texbooks published during and after the colonial rule.

Concerts

The culture ministry will organize the “DMZ Peace Concert” and “Han River Festival” on Aug. 15. The DMZ concert, to be held on Aug.14-15, will be a joint event by artists, students and citizens.

Media

The Korea Times will publish throughout the year a series of stories on the transformation of cultural genres — art, music, movies, literature and sports — during Japanese rule and their roles in a new Korea.