'Behemoth' reveals monster lurking in our society

A scene from the play "Behemoth" / Courtesy of PMC Production

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Behemoth refers to a mythical beast mentioned in the Bible, often described as enormous and undefeatable. In the new play "Behemoth," a case of murder reveals the beasts living in our society, driven by different reasons.

The play begins with Jae-seok, son of a rich businessman running for election, and a woman at a hotel room. They break into a quarrel and the woman collapses, spilling blood all over the room.

Attorney Lee is called to the scene by Jae-seok's father and defends Jae-seok, while prosecutor Oh, known for his uprightness, is assigned to the case. Lee is nicknamed Behemoth, as he never loses a trial on the back of his connection with high-ranking officials and executives.

The lawyer tells Tae-seok to turn himself in in order to gain an acquittal and insists Tae-seok was feeble-minded due to his claustrophobia. As the investigation goes on, Jae-seok finds something bizarre in his attorney's instructions and starts to doubt Lee’s intention.

However, prosecutor Oh is not just a man of judgment. He has a thirst for revenge since his sister was killed by a murderer and also has a grudge against Lee after losing a trial. On his way to implement justice ― or avenge his sister's wrongful death ― Oh is desperate enough to use whatever means to win if necessary.

The play is based on a 2014 KBS one-act television drama "Monster." Though the original script is from three years ago, the play seems oddly contemporary, resonating with incidents making headlines in the news these days in a row.

Director Kim Tae-hyung admitted that the reality is even worse than the script, which portrays the monster of this society.

"The play resonates with the current state of affairs. So I changed the ending of the play from the television version to reflect the objectified victim, who suffers throughout the play," Kim said.

Another way to differentiate from the small screen version is maximizing the characteristics of live theater ― simultaneity. Prosecutor Oh’s office coexists with that of attorney Lee, as well as the interrogation room and a hotel room where the murder happened.

The set design allows the play to smoothly switch back and forth between the investigation and the flashback, reenacting the crime. It also effectively portrays the omnipresence of the victim throughout the play, as if the audience should not forget about the dead among the power game.

The play seems to center on the investigation as if it is a mystery story, but as it progresses, the concern shifts to the social structure where there is a victim but no assailant.

Jeong Won-jo and Kim Do-hyun alternate as prosecutor Oh; Choi Dae-hoon and Kim Chan-ho play attorney Lee; and Moon Sung-il and Lee Chang-yeop alternate as Jae-seok.

The play "Behemoth" runs through April 2 at Middle Theater Black of the Chungmu Arts Center in central Seoul. Tickets prices are from 44,000 to 55,000 won. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 02-739-8288.