The National Theater of Korea located on Namsan, which is a central of the metropolitan city of Seoul founded in April 1950. It was not until the National Theater established on Namsan in 1973 that it was transferred from place to place under many circumstances.
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| The National Theater of Korea |
After the Korean Government was established in 1948, an executive order to establish a national theater was promulgated. The Bumingwan, the City Hall (now Seoul Metropolitan Council) was designated as a site for a national theater, and Yoo, Chi Jin was named the first president of the National Theater of Korea. The New Theatre Council was inaugurated with a national theater in January 1950, under which two resident drama companies, Shin-hyup and Geuk-hyup. They staged Wonsulrang (written by Yoo, Chi Jin) for the opening performance in April 1950. It drew more than fifty thousand visitors for 15 days.
The subsequent staging of a Thunderstorm(written by Cho Woo) was successful in a row. The play drew approximately 75,000 people, or about one sixth of the total population of Seoul and registered a new high in Korea's drama history. While it was working on its third performance, all activities of theater were totally paralyzed with the outbreak of the Korean War only after 57 days of opening.
NATIONAL CHANGGEUK COMPANY OF KOREA
A Korean music drama with 300 years’ Pansori history, Changgeuk
In 1962, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, an organization specializing in changgeuk, was founded with the objective of reviving the beauty and spirit of Korean songs. The music theater of changgeuk is a unique Korean art form that has been around for over a century. Its distinctive artistic device and philosophy match those of any Western opera.
For over 40 years, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea has continuously pursued preservation, standardization and popularization of traditional changgeuk, staging original contemporary changgeuk performances. To do so, the company arranged the scripts for the five pansoris (traditional Korean narrative songs: Chunhyangga, Simcheongga, Sugungga, Heungboga, Jeokbyeokga) and has performed them in full versions since 1998. The scripts were also translated and published in English, French, and Japanese to make changgeuk known to the world as a traditional performing art form of Korea.
Major Repertoires of The National Changgeuk Company
- The 15 or 16-Year-Old Virgin Maid
Names with hardy passion..., Meeting of Shimcheongjeon and Chunhyangjeon | Several parts of
Shakespeare adapted changgeuk story, a Korean music theater | A new music theater series Romeo and Juliet is the first adapted Changgeuk story. The company incorporates a Korean setting into the play. Instead of Romeo from the Montagues and Juliet from the Capulets in Verona, it transformed the original into the story of Juri, the daughter of Bullip Choi from a noble family in Namwon, Cheolla Province and Romyo, a son of Taegyu Mun from another noble family in Hamyang, Gyeongsang Province. The story takes place near Palyangchi, a hill between Cheolla and Gyungsang Provinces. The script, incorporating the beauty of the original work, was written by Sungwhan Park, who wrote the script for the National Brand Performance, - Romeo and Juliet
NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY OF KOREA
Glamorous delicacy and elegant dynamics
Founded in 1962, the National Dance Company of Korea has grown into a world-class dance troupe under the guidance of Bum Song, Heoungdong Cho, Hyun Choi, Suho Kook, Junghye Bae and Hyunja Kim and has succeeded Korea’s traditional dance and developed modern Korean dance at the same time. Moreover, through various overseas performances they have revealed the glamorous and delicate taste of traditional Korean dance to the world.They have built numerous repertoires and fostered highly talented dancers throughout the second half of the twentieth century. In addition, they are working on new repertoires and arranging performances for cultivating young dancers as well as offering dance education programs to the public.
Glamorous delicacy and elegant dynamicsFounded in 1962, the National Dance Company of Korea has grown into a world-class dance troupe under the guidance of Bum Song, Heoungdong Cho, Hyun Choi, Suho Kook, Junghye Bae and Hyunja Kim and has succeeded Korea’s traditional dance and developed modern Korean dance at the same time. Moreover, through various overseas performances they have revealed the glamorous and delicate taste of traditional Korean dance to the world.They have built numerous repertoires and fostered highly talented dancers throughout the second half of the twentieth century. In addition, they are working on new repertoires and arranging performances for cultivating young dancers as well as offering dance education programs to the public.
Major Repertoires of The National Dance Company
- Korean Fantasy
Highlight of Korean dance, 600 times on stage in 60 countries all over the world | "A moving performance filled with delight and happiness" - Pina Bausch, Director and Choreographer, Tanztheater Wuppertal |
- Soul, Sunflower
Liberal movement of body, strong image, meeting of jazz with Korean dance | Salpuri Dance and cello, Abakmu and piano, Mudangchum and drum…. The National Dance Company of Korea, which went beyond tradition and presented various aspects of contemporary Korean dance, met jazz. Composed and performed by the German jazz ensemble SaltaCello, the famous was choreographed by Junghye Bae, the artistic director of the National Dance Company of Korea. The stunning harmony between jazz's improvisation and the dynamic movements of Korean dance can be experienced through this performance. The performance presents new interpretations of various traditional Korean dances such as Salpuri, Abakmu, Bukeochum and Guisinbangulchum. The impressive modern stage design and costumes, which harmonizes eastern and western emotions deserves attention.
NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF KOREA
Traditional and Groundbreaking, these are the two faces of the National Orchestra The National Orchestra of Korea is a government-established orchestra of traditional Korean instruments, founded in 1995 with Beomhun Park as the first artistic director. Later, the Orchestra was led by Sangil Han, Sanghwa Choi and currently under the direction of Byeongki Hwang, the gayageum maestro. Since its founding, the National Orchestra has been trying to globalize and popularize Korean music by creating new national music based on diverse musical achievements over the past 10 years. In particular, playing modified Korean instruments and new creations combining Korean classical music with western music enabling Korean music to become more globally widespread. In addition, the National Orchestra is increasing their reputation as a public art organization by developing original works, diversifying performing methods and techniques, and through bold and progressive repertoires that transcend genre, generations and nationality.
Major Repertoires of The National Orchestra
- The National Orchestra’s Master Pieces
A different expression of traditional Korean classical music | Since the start of the series in 2006, the
- Ttwida Twida Tada
A concert portraying endless possibility of a young national classic | This is a concert of new ideas with innovation for young audiences in their twenties and thirties. Young people familiar with various media can find something new in our national classic through spectacular imagery and interesting stories. A performance of traditional music, visuals, modern dance and theatrics come together to provide a ‘music video’ like feel. A casual meeting of “her” and “him” moves the audience to sympathize with this story of dreams and romance, love and farewells of school days through beautiful music and a pleasant performance.
See also:
www.ntok.go.kr:8081/.../orchestra/index.html
