Park Yoo-deok portrays humane side of King Sejong in '1446'

A scene from the musical “1446” / Courtesy of HJ Culture

By Kwon Mee-yoo

King Sejong, the fourth king of 1392-1910 Joseon Kingdom, is best known for his creation of “hangeul” (Korean alphabet) and also one of the most frequently revisited historical figures in Korean culture. Numerous television dramas and films such as “The Great King, Sejong” (2008) and “Deep Rooted Tree” (2011) have featured King Sejong as the main character.

The new musical “1446,” which raises the curtain at Theater Yong at the National Museum of Korea, Thursday, aims to breathe a new interpretation into the great king with music. The show's title “1446” comes from the year King Sejong introduced hangeul.

HJ Culture, a theatrical production company known for shows based on historical characters such as van Gogh, Salieri and Rachmaninoff, turns its eye to a Korean figure this time. Producer Han Seung-won said the life of King Sejong meets the qualifications for a good musical full of impactful events and inner conflicts.

Actors take part in a workshop of "1446" in London in February. / Courtesy of HJ Culture

To portray the inner life of the king and compress his 53 years into a two-and-a-half hour show, HJ Culture devoted much time and effort.

Last year, HJ Culture staged a tryout version of “1446” at Sejong Gugakdang in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Yeoju is the home of Yeongneung, the tomb of King Sejong and his wife Queen Soheon and the city promotes the king's humanistic spirit through various events including the upcoming King Sejong Cultural Festival from Oct. 6 to 9.

It was natural for the city to organize and sponsor the King Sejong musical, which centers on the humane side of the great king as well as his achievements including the invention of hangeul.

Then they went to London for a workshop to better dramatize and clean up the show in February. In the workshop held in collaboration with Goldsmiths University, Kevin Shen took the lead role of King Sejong. Composer-director Kim Eun-young's music, blending characteristics of the East and the West, received acclaim from Londoners.

Park Yoo-deok as King Sejong in “1446” / Courtesy of HJ Culture

Looking into King Sejong's mind

Composer-director Kim added a few touches for the Seoul production to improve the show.

“We added some scenes and there are other changes to move the plot more smoothly and polish the show. 1446 traces the whole life of King Sejong and it could be difficult for audiences to follow different events if we don't provide enough background. I think these new scenes will help audiences to better understand the great king's life and agony,” actor Park Yoo-deok, who alternates playing King Sejong with Jung Sang-yoon, said in an interview with The Korea Times, Monday.

Park played the same role at last year's trial run in Yeoju and challenged the role of the great king once again with a better understanding of one of the greatest kings in Korea's history.

“When I first knew I was going to play King Sejong, I felt enormous pressure as Sejong was a wise king as every Korean knows. I was worried about misinterpreting what he did or distorting the character,” Park said. “Since I did not live in King Sejong's time, I started from the idea of what I would have done if I had lived in his time and if I was him.”

While studying the script and researching the historic figure, Park visited King Sejong's tomb and his statue in Gwanghwamun Square.

“I tried to communicate with him there. I told him 'I dare to portray you on stage. Please watch me how I act as you when I am on stage,'” Park said.

Park knew as much about King Sejong as any other Korean does from history class from when he was in school, so he embarked on a study to understand the great king who devoted himself to improving the lives of the people.

“I read books about King Sejong, including the 'Annals of the Joseon Kingdom.' I didn't know King Sejong's tomb was moved to Yeoju for geomantic reasons until I took this role,” the actor said. “Our show begins in King Taejong's era, the preceding king and father of Sejong. And I talked a lot with my father to better portray the father-son relationship.”

As Park delved into the character, he realized King Sejong was also a human behind all those distinguished accomplishments.

“Sometimes he just was a lonely, sad man. He had to embrace all his sorrows because he was the sovereign ruler. I felt King Sejong didn't want others to feel the pain and sadness he experienced.”

Though he has played many characters based on real people, Park feels closer to King Sejong than any of the others.

“When I played foreign characters, I had few ways to approach them because the environment was so different. I didn't live in King Sejong's time, but it is easier to understand him because we use the same language. I once again recognized the importance of language and the letters invented by King Sejong himself.”

King Sejong almost lost his eyesight as he worked on the Korean alphabet project and the musical portrays the king's agony as he suffered physical and mental stress as his sight became poor and he faced the objections of his vassals.

“The stage goes dark and King Sejong hears imaginary voices from his father and brother. He almost wants to give up everything, but Queen Soheon reminds him of the people who are relying on him. It gives King Sejong a shift in thought and inspires him to resume the project,” Park said. “Please have a look at such inner conflicts of the king.”

Park, who has worked with the composer-director of the musical “Farinelli,” was fascinated by Kim's unique music.

“When I first listened to the music of 1446, I was reminded of the revolutionary 'Hayeoga' by Seo Taiji and Boys. The combination of haegeum (Korean two-stringed fiddle), daegeum (Korean large bamboo flute) and piano was very peculiar. It is amazing how these instruments go well with each other and make such a unique sound,” Park said.

The musical “1446” runs from Oct. 5 to Dec. 2. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 02-588-7708.