August 30th, 2007`Scent of Spring’ Opens WN Theaters Festival
The National Dance Company of Korea will re-stage “The Scent of Spring” early next month, aiming to fascinate foreign audiences with the traditional Korean story and aesthetics. It will also serve as the opening piece for the inaugural International Festival of National Theaters scheduled Sept. 8 to Oct. 27.
Titled “Chum, Chunhyang” in Korean, the dance piece was first staged in 2002, choreographed by Bae Jung-hye, a renowned Korean dance expert, and produced by Kook Soo-ho, also a reputed Korean dancer and choreographer.
Chunhyang, whose name means “scent of spring,” is a beautiful girl who often appears in Korean folk tales, most notably in the namesake novel anonymously written in late Joseon Dynasty period.
Chunghyang is born to mother who is kisaeng, or traditional Korean courtesan. Despite the difference in social strata, she falls in love with Mongryong, a son of an aristocratic family. As Mongryong leaves to take the civil examination in the capital, Chunhyang is harassed by the corrupt local head of the village district that wants her to be his courtesan. But all’s well that ends well as Mongryong, who returns home a powerful man after passing the civil exam, punishes the corrupt local officials.
Many dance troupes have recently produced creative versions of the folk story. The Korea National Ballet will present their version of Chunhyang in October, and the Universal Ballet presented one last May.
The National Dance Company’s rendition comes across as rather ambitious. The company intended the re-creation of “The Scent of Spring” this time for the purpose of overseas staging from the beginning. It is designated as one of the “National Brand” performance by the National Theater of Korea, meaning that the state organization will support it and see it grow as a prime repertoire to showcase Korean culture to the world.
Accordingly, costumes, stage settings as well as the dramatic structure were infused with contemporary sentiment as well as traditional Korean elements. The main theme is focused on the “love story that transcends social strata,” according to the company.
A 30-member orchestra, composed of core members of the National Changgeuk Company of Korea and the National Orchestra Company of Korea will play the background live music.
“The Scent of Spring” will take to the stage Sept. 8-12 at the Hae, Main Hall of the National Theater of Korea.
