Triumph of the faith

megsinchina:

Pansori Project Za “Sacheon-Ga

One of the theatre pieces I saw. Pansori is a form of Korean musical theatre with one singer and one drum. The performance I saw was a modernised version of a Pansori, so there was a guitarist and other percussion instruments used.

Based off a book “The Good Woman of Sezchuan” the story was about three Gods (played by dancers) trying to find a good person in modern Korea. An unlikely unattractive woman proves to be incredibly giving and selfless, they give her a lot of money and leave her, saying they will return and she must remain good. Over the course of the story she gets taken advantage of by everyone, including the man she falls in love with. Finally, her entire personality changes when she learns she’s pregnant. She struggles with remaining good and surviving in the world. 

The singer, Ja-Ram Lee, was amazing at portraying all the characters with a fan being the only main prop. When she played the good woman and the man she fell in love with simultaneously I still felt engaged by two different characters. Also a Pansori wants a rowdy, cheerful audience. Throughout the performance shouting out terms and sounds of approval and cheer were encouraged. The Koreans there didn’t disappoint and it gave the performance a kind of festival feel.

I have never seen such an open social commentary on modern South Korea. Addressed in a satirical and humorous way was South Koreas fixation on good looks and how that defines a persons character, the constant pressure to work harder, the poverty still existing in Korea and the lower position of a woman.