Artists Bring Vietnamese Drama To Korean Stage

'Ben Khong Chong' is a famous novel written by Duong Huong. It is one of three prose works that won the Literature Prize of the Vietnam Writers Association in 1991, the State Prize for Literature and Art in 2016. With more than 14 reprints, it has been translated into international languages and made into a movie.

The drama is written by Vu Thi Thu Phong author and directed by two directors, Meritorious Artist Hoang Lam Tung (Vietnam) and Kim Min Jeong (Korea). It is produced by Meritorious Artist Xuan Bac and Mr. Um Dong Youl as Production Director, musician Giang Son (Vietnam) and music director Huijea Chung.

Actors participating in the drama 'Ben Khong Chong' Photo: nguoilaodong.).

The drama has the setting in Dong village - a typical rural village in the Northern Delta of Vietnam. Characters in the story are women trapped between the customs and prejudices of their families and neighbors. The objections were like knives that cut deep into each person, making them so frustrated and suffocating. It is the story of people in the post-war period, facing with difficulties and hardships in life but they always keep their love, sacrifice and desire to live.

In the introduction of this special artistic cooperation project on October 12, Meritorious Artist Nguyen Xuan Bac, Director of the Vietnam National Drama Theater said, this is the first step of the cooperation project between Vietnam and Korea in theater art activities, in order to promote Vietnamese culture, country and people to Korean audiences. It is also an opportunity for Vietnamese theater to exchange and develop.

Mr. Um Dong-youl, the project's production director affirmed that this cooperation aims to bring the artistic values of the two countries and Asia to the world. This is also a premise for Vietnam and Korea to make progress in cooperation of culture and art development.

Meritorious Artist Xuan Bac (centre), Director of the Vietnam National Drama Theater shared about the drama. Photo: Vietnam National Drama Theater.

Regarding the choice to stage this play, Korean director Kim Min-jeong said, Vietnam and Korea have similarities in history and culture. The two countries have experienced wars and are always looking towards a good future. Artists of the two countries can easily empathize and find a common voice when staging.

Participating in the play are 13 artists of the Vietnam National Drama Theater, including outstanding faces such as Tuan Vu, Thu Hong, Ho Lien, Le Quang Dao, Minh Hai, Thu Theu, Mai Huong, etc.

Actors participating in the drama 'Ben Khong Chong' Photo: nguoilaodong.).

The show is staged in two phases. In phase 1 shall be carried out in Vietnam with script development, casting and rehearsal. In phase 2, the entire crew shall go to Korea to continue practicing and officially debut to the Korean audience on November 12 and 13. The drama is a part of the cooperation program towards the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam National Drama Theater (1952-2022) and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Korea (December 22, 1992 - December 22, 2022).

As revealed by the crew, the drama will be performed on the water stage. 13 actors will be on stage throughout the drama and create unique, engaging stories and effects. After performing in Korea, the drama shall be brought back to Vietnam to serve Vietnamese audience and it shall be on tour in other countries.

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