How far are you willing to go for someone you love? There's a love story about sacrificing one's life for the happiness and safety of a loved one. Based on the ancient Silla tale of "Kim Hyun Gam Ho," the first production practice at Chung-Ang University, "Once Upon A Time" tells the story of a woman who conceals her identity as a tiger and about her love story with Kim Hyun. Despite the many unfavorable conditions surrounding their love, they think only of each other and convey the beautiful resonance of love to the audience. Follow the flow of this play, where the actors' heartfelt and vivid performances shine, and contemplate the meaning of true love and friendship together.
Characters
Kim Hyun (Ko Jong-min): A kind-hearted herbal medicine merchant. He falls in love at first sight with The Woman. After learning that she is a tiger, he passionately protects her from those who want to kill the tiger.
The Woman (Lee So-ri): A mysterious woman who prefers to be alone, concealing her true identity as a ‘tiger.’
June (Ko Kwon-soo): A character who cannot speak, and is a close friend of Kim Hyun. He is highly skilled in archery and is mobilized to help hunt the tiger. However, he secretly rescues his friend Kim Hyun and The Woman, showcasing a beautiful friendship.
A Subjugation Leader (Lee Ha-min): A character who actively hunts down the tiger that threatens the village's peace.
A Lord (Han Phi-lip): A timid character who orders the head of the subjugation to hunt down the tiger that harms people.
Three Funny Idiots – Hurly, Burly, Whoopee (Park Min-ji, Kang Jang-kun, An Young-bin): Characters who lead the overall flow of the play. They appear in various parts of the play to ensure the narrative flows smoothly.
Synopsis: A Plot: A Love Story Against Fate – The Story of Kim Hyun & A Tiger
"Once Upon A Time" is a work that reinterprets the characters and plot based on the Korean classical tale of "Kim Hyun Gam Ho," recorded in the The Heritage of the Three States, a Korean historical records. The "Kim Hyun Gam Ho" story tells of a tiger who transforms into a maiden during the Silla dynasty and forms a marital bond with Kim Hyun, ultimately choosing death for his sake. This play features non-human being characters, exuding an air of mystery, but at its core, it is a captivating story about humanity. Set against the backdrop of a village where tigers frequently appeared in the very distant past, it portrays the tragic love story of two individuals who reject their fated paths to pursue their own destinies. Given that this work is based on traditional Korean folklore, certain aspects of the original narrative may seem illogical and simplistic in a modern context. So, the plot has been adapted to engage a modern audience's empathy more effectively.
Communicating with The Audience Through The Rhythm of The Body – Body Percussion
The rhythm and choreography in the play "Once Upon A Time" are based on body percussion, which involves creating rhythms through the actors' bodies. The musical highlight that has made this performance even more freeing is precisely this body percussion. Bold rhythms produced through vigorous bodily movements, deviating from conventional dialogue, stimulate the senses of audience. Actions like chest thumping, thigh slapping, foot tapping, hand clapping, and various other percussive sounds encompass a wide spectrum, from humanity's primal, instinctual sounds that have been passed down since ancient times to contemporary freedom. Particularly as an official entry in the "2023 WTEA International Theatre Festival," the emphasis was on sensory expressions rather than using language, aiming to resonate with directors, actors, and audiences from various countries worldwide who gathered for the festival. Since the decision was made to minimize props and construct the play, the entire creative team collaborated intensively, experimenting and discussing various ways of artistic expression. During the rehearsal process, they even spontaneously sang and danced, constantly refining and perfecting the body percussion choreography. Although the content is based on a familiar ancient folklore, the director's determination to engage with the audience in a refreshing and unconventional manner shines through, making it a unique experience.
A Love That Shines in Sacrifice
The sacrificial love depicted in this play is considered a powerful and moving theme. In this story, the woman's self-sacrificing actions for Kim Hyun symbolize true love and devotion. Such extreme sacrifice can be seen as a deep form of love that we experience when we care for and cherish someone. The woman's sacrifice demonstrates how precious Kim Hyun is to her. Sacrificial love often touches us in its ability to go beyond ourselves, and stories like this remind us of the value of love and devotion, prompting us to consider how we can care for, and love, others. The form of sacrificial love in the play stimulates our emotions and enhances our ability to support and love someone under any circumstances. In this regard, the audience can contemplate their own values and perspectives on love. This play raises individual questions for the audience about their views on love.
* The World Theatre Education Alliance (WTEA) was established in September 2015 as a global federation of drama schools. It consists of prominent drama schools from 12 countries across each continent, all of which are member countries of the UNESCO International Theatre Institute. The "2023 WTEA International Theatre Festival" took place in October at the Central Academy of Drama in China. After a 4-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held in 2023, and Chung-Ang University (CAU) from Korea participated as a member of WTEA, with the play "Once Upon A Time". Competing in this festival, CAU showcased outstanding performances that earned them the Best Play and Best Performer awards.
The play "Once Upon A Time" captivates the audience with vibrant acting, singing, and dancing, using a free form of expression to maximize the love story between Kim Hyun and The Woman. A particularly impressive point is the harmony felt in the arrangement, which strikes a balance between traditional and Korean elements, complemented with a modern touch to enhance the qualities of the original narrative. As you immerse yourself in the explosive energy conveyed through the actors' movements, you may find yourself getting lost in the play without realizing it.
Place: Institute of Performing Arts, Chung-Ang University Since 1959
Time: 2023.10.13 (Fri.) - 15 (Sun.)