The tragic courtesan drama "Hongdo" is returning to the stage after a decade. The production reinterprets the emotional landscape of the 1930s, presenting the classic tragedy with refined mise-en-scène while preserving the distinctive sentiment of Korean melodrama.
“Sad indeed, our dreamlike lives
Like dew gathered at the tip of a blade of grass
When that merciless wind blows lightly
The trace of dew vanishes in an instant.”
The original work is the iconic 1930s melodrama "Betrayed by Love, Weeping for Money." The story centers on siblings who lost their parents early in life. Hongdo becomes a gisaeng to support her brother’s education and falls in love with Gwang-ho, the son of a prestigious family. Their relationship ultimately leads to tragedy. The sorrowful fate of Hongdo, stripped of everything by false accusations, resonates deeply with the era’s sense of collective grief and resentment.
Hongdo unexpectedly falls in love with her brother’s classmate. Although turmoil erupts within his family, the couple eventually marries with the support of his father, who firmly believes in their love. However, after her husband leaves to study abroad, his mother and sister conspire to frame Hongdo as an unfaithful woman and drive her out of the household.
On the day her husband returns from overseas, Hongdo visits the family home hoping to clear her name. Instead, the conspirators and the former fiancée reject her and denounce her as immoral. Overcome by injustice and anger, Hongdo loses control and fatally stabs the former fiancée. Only then is her innocence revealed and her husband realizes the truth, but by that time it is already too late.
As her brother leads her away in handcuffs, red flower petals scatter along the road.
This production highlights director Ko Sun-woong’s signature concise and rhythmic staging. On a pure white stage, only a simple structural frame is placed to suggest a roof, emphasizing the beauty of negative space through dramatic minimalism.
The rapid tempo of the dialogue and the deliberate distancing technique restrain the excess emotionality of classic melodrama, creating instead a restrained yet powerful resonance. Adding to this aesthetic is the hanbok design by Kim Young-jin of CHAI KIM, which blends traditional elegance with a modern sensibility.
This season’s casting is particularly notable. Park Ha-sun, Ye Ji-won, and Choi Ha-yoon share the title role, each presenting a distinct interpretation of Hongdo. Park Ha-sun, known for her stable performances across television and film, portrays a new vision of Hongdo, capturing a character who retains her sincerity despite a turbulent fate.
The return of original cast member Ye Ji-won and the addition of rising talent Choi Ha-yoon also draw attention. Ye Ji-won, remembered for her poignant portrayal in the premiere production, returns as the original Hongdo, bringing depth and emotional weight to the role. Choi Ha-yoon, who debuted in the play "Camel Box" in 2019 and later joined the National Theater Company of Korea, injects fresh energy into the production. Veteran actor Jung Bo-seok joins the cast as Gwang-ho’s father, adding further gravitas.
Director Ko Sun-woong said, “The casting makes this production even more exciting. I want to create a stage that restrains emotion while maintaining dignity.”
Park Ha-sun also shared her determination, saying she hopes to portray Hongdo’s sincerity with authenticity, while Ye Ji-won promised to return with a deeper performance.
Since its premiere, "Hongdo" has swept major awards including the Dong-A Theatre Awards, the Edaily Culture Awards, and the Seoul Arts Center Arts Awards, winning both acting and directing honors. In 2016, the play also received international acclaim during its invited run at the Abu Dhabi National Theatre, where every performance sold out and audiences responded with standing ovations.
Returning after ten years, "Hongdo" will run from April 10 to April 26 at the CJ Towol Theater in the Seoul Arts Center for a total of 22 performances before embarking on a nationwide tour across seven cities.
Reported by News Culture M.J._mj94070777@nc.press
Copyright ⓒ 뉴스컬처 무단 전재 및 재배포 금지
