What's left of 20-year revenge in 'Orphan of Zhao'

A scene from “The Orphan of Zhao.” / Courtesy of National Theater Company of Korea

By Kwon Mee-yoo

“The Orphan of Zhao,” a play highly acclaimed for its impressive directing intersecting comedy and tragedy, and its absorbing performances by polished actors, returned to the Myeongdong Theater in downtown Seoul for a second run.

The play, produced by the National Theater Company of Korea (NTCK), attracted unexpected publicity earlier this year as its director Koh Sun-woong was associated with the notorious blacklist allegedly created by President Park Geun-hye to list artists critical of her administration.

During a hearing on the blacklist, it was revealed that Koh was originally included on the list, but Park Min-kwon, former vice minister of culture, asked for clemency for Koh because his play was too good. Park’s request was denied and he was replaced as vice minister of culture. The mention immediately evoked curiosity over the play, which was already highly anticipated after its award-winning premiere in 2015.

The play is based on Chinese author Ji Junxiang’s 13th century script of the same name and director Koh adapted the play focusing on Cheng Ying, the man who gives up his only child to save the “seed of revenge.”

The first act revolves around the tragic fate that strikes Cheng Ying. The second act is on Cheng raising the orphan of Zhao and shepherding the boy to avenge his family's enemy. Koh uses a handful of symbolic objects _ a tree, a wheel, a moon, a chair and clubs of different sizes _ to progress the story.

The original play often referred to as the Chinese “Hamlet” due to its revenge nature, but director Koh was more interested in the human nature behind the vengeance.

In the end when the orphan of Zhao completes his revenge, Duke Ling suggests he and Cheng Ying annihilate Tu'an Gu's entire family and relatives to be fair. However, Cheng Ying, who devoted 20 years of his life to the revenge plot, looks rather empty and hollow instead of being overwhelmed by joy. Cheng Ying faces the ghosts of those related to this long-time reprisal behind the curtain, but they just slide by Cheng Ying, intensifying his loneliness and vanity.

The futility expressed in the face of actor Ha Sung-kwang, playing Cheng Ying epitomizes what the play wants to convey.

The play centers around the meaning of revenge and the vanity behind vengeance, but it also questions what makes a good leader. “All of the problems are rooted in poor judgment,” director Koh said. “When General Tu’an Gu remonstrated Duke Ling to annihilate the entire family of Zhao Dun, Duke Ling could think wisely and make a different decision, which could have prevented the ravages of the vengeance.”

The play runs through Feb. 12. Tickets cost from 20,000 to 50,000 won. It is performed in Korean with Chinese subtitles on Thursday and Sunday, and with English subtitles on Friday. For more information, visit www.ntck.or.kr or call 1644-2003.