KOREAN SEASON: Exporting Korea Internationally

Today, KSTATION TV was invited to a very special conference. From March 7 to March 18, the «global cultural exchange» committee is proposing four exclusive performances: musicals and plays. Over the course of an hour, we discover these four performances, as well as the artists who participate.

The first is called “ARI ARARI” and here is some information about it: a musical created from the story of Arirang which is a Korean folk song from more than 600 years ago, from Jeongseon, Gangwon Province. Arirang as a term today is ambiguous in meaning, but some linguists have hypothesized that “Ari” meant “beautiful” and “rang” referred to a “beloved one” or “bridegroom” in the ancient native Korean language. So, it practically means “My beloved one”. Arirang is included twice on the UNESCO intangible Cultural Heritage list. The song is sung today in both North and South Korea, and represents the symbol of unity in its region of origin, that is now divided into two by the Korean DMZ. Musical Performance “ARI ARARI” tells us the story of a sweeping epic that captures the enduring bonds of family.

For this performance, the artists are: GYE HYEONUK, KIM SOL, KIM TAESUNG, KIM HWAYOUNG, NAM HYUNWOO, NAM HOYUN, SHIN HYUNYOUNG, AN SOYEON, YANG DOSUN, YUN CHAEEUN, LEE JOOHYUN, JEON MINHYUCK, JEON JONGHYEOK, CHO SEULAH, HAN SEUNGHO, HYUN MYEONGHAN, HWANG INWOOK and HONG SUNGMIN. Its gender is defined by « Musical Performance ».

The second is called “BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM” and here is some information about it: a representative Korean play that has been performed with awards at numerous theaters in Korea since 2014. CHA HYUNSUK, who is a member of “the society of author”, writes, directs, produces, plans, and manages theater, perform here as a coffee shop owner, and has been highly complimented by world-famous film director such as BONG JOONHO (Director of “PARASITE”). CHA HYUNSUK’s theater Hooam has been field for 22 years and has met various audience in New York, Tokyo, Kyoto, Istanbul, London, and performed in Edinburgh festival for 5 years and recently performed in Romanian Sibiu festival as well. The theater Hooam’s main performances are “BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM”, “20th CENTURY WRITER”, “MEDIA COMPLEX” and many more.

For this performance, the artists are: CHA HYUNSIK et SHIM TAESIK. Its gender is defined by « Théâtre ».

Korean Season – BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM team

The third is called “HELLO, THE HELL : OTHELLO” and here is some information about it: by the “Creative Jakhwa”, is more like a new creative work than reinterpreting the original “OTHELLO”. After Othello killed Desdemona, othello and Lago are living endlessly in hell together. This hell imposes a punishment that makes you have nightmares at the moment you skeep. Othello’s past of killing Desdemona dies every day with repeated punishment. Then one day, Lago realizes how to get out of this nightmare. So far, there are numerous works that express the imagination of the space of hell. The hell created by “Jakhwa” may be the present, the future, or the past. What matters is what moment a modern man who is generous to himself should go through. By adding physical elements to this, Jakhwa would like to express it through the interface between ordinary body language and refined movement.

For this performance, the artists are: SONG JAEHEE, CHOI WOONG, CHA SEONWOO, HAN SANGHYUK, KO SEONGJAE, LEE JEONGHOO, JI SUMIN, IM NAYOUNG, et LEE SEUNGEUN. Its gender is defined by « Physical Theatre ».

Korean Season – HELLO, THE HELL: OTHELLO team

The fourth is called “KOKOON” and here is some information about it: For the first time in down under comes the incredible boy band KOKOON, Asia’s most acclaimed K-pop band with the repertoire of their 1st and 2nd albums and BTS, BLACKPINK, PSY cover dances with audiences. This South Korean boy band formed in 2018, became a sensation on stages in Korean and Japan. After debuting with the Korea TV program “Comedy Big Leave”, they released their 1st album “WHAT?!”, the Christmas music digital single and the 2nd album “KITTY”.

For this performance, the artists are: JEON JAEMIN, KANG JOOWON, KIM SAEAM, YOON WONKI and SHUYA FUJISAKI. Its gender is defined by « Kpop-Comedy ».

When the conference begins, the MC is clear: these performances of varied style aim to introduce Korea and its art worldwide. These performances are grouped under the name of «ADELAIDE KOREAN SEASON». This project was launched three years ago during COVID to distract people during difficult times, but it is actually the very first season presented today. To express the gratitude of the artists participating in this season, the chair of the committee who is also the artistic director ANGELLA KWON is present.

« We’d like to give deepest thanks to all the artists and staff who offered their full support in preparing for this very special season. » – ANGELLA KWON

In addition, Performance Managers of “ARI ARARI” YOON JUNGHWAN, “BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM” CHA HYUNSUK and “HELLO, THE HELL : OTHELLO” KANG EUNGYO, are also present to present their work and discuss with the journalists who made the trip to attend this conference. Some of the artists are even sitting in the room, to express their support for their director, mainly towards YOON JUNGHWAN. The three directors invite anyone to attend their performance. Then a photo shoot takes place for some of the artists, and some even perform. Thus, the troupe «ARI ARARI» performs a more modern version of the song «Arirang».

For «BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM», a video is shown showing excerpts from the play before the two artists go on stage, then the troupe «HELLO, THE HELL : OTHELLO» takes place after a video presenting the main actors. Finally, the singers of the group «KOKOON» who do a short performance in play-back. They continue with a more comic performance on the song «Idol» of BTS speaking in English to present themselves in a humorous way. They present themselves as former actors, surgeons, actors, models.

« Remember us forever, we are the new trend in Korean comedy » – KOKOON

The artists all go back on stage to take the time to send messages to journalists, not forgetting to pay attention to this «KOREAN SEASON» for the values it carries. SONG JAEHEE begins by saying that it is like a dream of his to be part of the troupe of OTHELLO, especially since having had a daughter recently, he is happy to get back on stage quickly. IM NAYOUNG, former member of the group I.O.I, calls on spectators to have high expectations for their performance, because they will not disappoint them. As for «ARI ARARI», one of the singers expresses her joy to go to Australia, because having been unable to go abroad for her honeymoon, she is delighted to realize this dream alongside her husband, who is also part of the adventure.

They are also very curious to discover the reaction of strangers, even stating that they would be able to cry if said reactions were warm. The singers make the audience laugh by explaining their role, that two people play the role of a father and his daughter when in reality they are the same age. For the two artists of “BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM”, SHIM TAESIK says he has worked hard to stand on stage, and will continue his efforts, while CHA HYUNSUK is grateful to be in such a good “team”, not forgetting that he was able to travel 150 times abroad to present his play. He cites as the most memorable memory his visit to Edinburgh in 2019, as well as some of his performances in Japan, Tokyo and Osaka mainly.

The conference continues with KOKOON and their leader JEON JAEMIN. He is mainly impressed by the presence of BARO from B1A4 in the troupe, which is present under his real name today; CHA SEONWOO. KOKOON has a role model in the team, and someone to ask for advice. The latter takes the opportunity to address a few words, saying that before taking part in the OTHELLO project, that he thought that as an old idol it would be simple to be on stage, but that in reality, as it is a new genre for him, he continues to work hard, because it’s not that simple.

IM NAYOUNG is also grateful to perform abroad through this project, and for gaining experience in her career. She considers that this will give her strength and energy, and that for that, she also works very hard, ending by saying that she is happy with this opportunity. Throughout the press conference, there were notable problems with the microphone, but all the artists took it with a smile and did their best to convey their determination and involvement in this project.

CHA HYUNSUK answers an additional question, concerning the understanding of language for foreigners. He stated that “BLACK AND WHITE TEA ROOM” was originally available in two versions: one in Korean and one in English. Now, as the goal is to promote Korea, the play will be subtitled in Korean, as it did not seem to bother the audience to have to read them while watching the play. Finally, to complete the circle, the conference ends with the troupe of «ARI ARARI» who reflect on the evolution of their performance since the very first, five years ago at the Olympic Games in Korea.

« I feel like Korean is a trendy language lately, which is why we chose not to translate our performances » — CHA HYUNSUK

For them, the main change is confidence in themselves during performances, because they can still present their work after several years, and that the public reaction is always as positive. They hope to continue to perform, whether in 5, 10 or even 15 years. Finally, the question of the cultural difference between performances in Korea and abroad. For OTHELLO, it is before the public reaction that the foreigners are more «physical» because they tend to use their bodies more to show when something pleases them.

For «ARI ARARI», it is above all to impress foreigners, either at the level of the costumes or the stage, and to make sure to mark the spirits with the song «Arirang» which is important to the Koreans. KOKOON hopes to spread the Hallyu more abroad thanks to the artists they have chosen to perform in their play, as well as using the «jokes» they have prepared so that it is easy for foreigners to understand.