On the way to the theater

I saw a poster on the door of “Hyehwa-dong 1,” passing by the theater on a summer morning. The poster was for Yellow Ribbon’s new work, “People Glowing with Yellow Light.” I immediately booked a ticket for that day.

Yellow Ribbon is a theater company founded by mothers of victims and a survivor of the Sewol ferry sinking. On the way to the theater that evening, I wondered how the actors would feel before the performance. Wouldn’t the mothers worry that they would forget their lines on stage?

I reached the theater, hoping that all members of Yellow Ribbon would gain strength through the performance. The person at the ticket office gave me a surprise with a ticket. The gift was a notepad container made by the mothers.

In it, there was a letter written by Park Yu-sin, one of the actors: “We always remember that there is no later, preparing for our performance. So do we today. You, glowing with yellow light, have been with us, have given us strength. So please be healthy. I love you.”

In her words, “So please be healthy,” I feel how deeply all of us are connected with one another. My health is not only for me. If I take care of myself, I’ll be able to take better care of others. After receiving the letter, I came to want to keep supporting the mothers, taking good care of my body.

In the auditorium, there were nuns sitting serenely and young people talking quietly with their friends. Soft yellow lights were illuminating the stage. The performance consists of three short stories on citizens who have been with the bereaved of the Sewol ferry disaster.

“In the Square” is the story of Hye-rim who was a young student in 2014. After seeing many incorrect press reports about the Sewol ferry sinking, she becomes a journalist. She gives the audience courage, saying: “If the world does not tell the truth, I will.”

“How to Make Pretty Rice Balls” is a story of Dobong-gu residents who have supported the bereaved of the Sewol ferry sinking. The residents make rice balls together for people who participate in rallies calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. I was glad to see one of the characters — a vegan — make vegan rice balls.

In the third story, “The Suspicious Companion,” a conservative man changes gradually, shadowing Sewol ferry activists. The touching play shows that the Sewol ferry tragedy and other social disasters are connected.

One actor momentarily forgot her line but remembered it soon. Even if the actors forget their lines, does it really matter? The important thing is that we are together here and now, sharing our hearts.

On the way home, I saw a few stars twinkling in the sky. Walking slowly, I prayed: May those who lost their loved ones find peace.

Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/everythingchanges) wrote “Old Potato, New Potato” and translated “Little Lord Fauntleroy.”