Dancer Na Sun-joo plays gisaeng San-hong in “Gyeongseong 1930,’ which
will showcase Korean dance from that era./ Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Dance

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theater is preparing a performance of ``Gyeongseong 1930,'' to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

The performance is set during the devastating times of the 1930s, where two gisaeng, or female entertainers, San-hong and Geum-hyang, and one independence fighter, Hyeong-cheol, strive to fulfill their dreams. Through love, friendship and suffering, they finally learn the true meaning of life and passion. ``Gyeongseong'' was the term used to refer to Seoul during Japanese colonial rule.

``I wanted to portray the tradition and memories of the 1903s, especially through the lives of gisaeng. This performance will be a chance for the younger generation to learn traditional dance and also art,'' Lim Lee-jo, the art director of the performance said at a press conference Monday. Lim is the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Dance Theater and also a renowned traditional dancer.

``Gyeongseong 1930'' is based on the book ``Noreummachi'' by Jin Ok-seob, a traditional art expert. ``Noreummachi'' is literary jargon meaning a ``great artist,'' and the book displays the lives and struggles of real artists, including gisaeng, who tried to preserve Korea's traditions.

``It was a small section of the book (which was the life and efforts of gisaeng) that caught the eye of one of the producers. I am very happy to be part of the efforts of introducing Korean traditional dance and art to the audience,'' Jin said.

San-hong is a successful gisaeng with superb dancing skills who meets a wounded independence fighter, Hyeong-cheol. She falls in love, not knowing that her friend Geum-hyang, an entertainer-turned-businesswoman has been secretly in love with the young man for a long time.

``Yes, this is a love story. But one important part of the performance is that San-hong does everything she can to preserve her traditions and dances. It will make the audience consider what wonderful artists did to protect our culture in those difficult times,'' Yoo Hee-sung, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Theater and the director of the performance, said.

The story shows the dramatic and tragic situations during the colonial period, and later offers the last dance of San-hong, who has gone through a number of emotional breakdowns by the end of the performance.

``The last dance is breathtaking. It will be a performance that will show San-hong's true emotions,'' Yoo added.

In order to provide an authentic 1930s setting, the director said they concentrated on every detail.

``The dance, the music, the streets and the costumes are all based on that period. We all hope this will be a chance for the younger generation to look back on this period and appreciate our traditional arts and dances so many fought to protect,'' Lim said.

``Gyeongseong 1930'' will be on stage April 24-25 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets cost from 20,000 won to 100,000 won. For more visit www.interpark.com or call 1544-1555 (in Korean).

sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr