The Korea National Opera is bringing a uniquely Korean story to the operatic stage with "Hwajeonga," a production featuring nine female singers performing entirely in the Andong regional dialect. This ambitious work represents a collaboration between top Korean creators to transform a critically acclaimed play into an opera that preserves disappearing cultural elements while delivering universal themes.
Set in April 1950, just three months before the Korean War erupted, "Hwajeonga" takes place in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The story centers on Madame Kim, who celebrates her 60th birthday by proposing a spring flower picnic instead of a traditional banquet. Nine women gather to share their personal stories, singing and comforting each other in the profound silence left by men who have been swept away by the currents of history.
The original play was written by renowned playwright Bai Sam-shik and premiered by the National Theater Company of Korea in 2020 to widespread critical acclaim. For the operatic adaptation, composer Choe Uzong has partnered with director and choreographer Jung Young-doo, who received a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for outstanding achievement in opera for his work on "Lear" in March.
The opera distinguishes itself through several remarkable features, most notably its exclusive use of nine female vocalists and its performance entirely in the Andong dialect. "Regional dialects are far more musical than standard Seoul speech," Choe explained at a press conference last month. "Their intonation naturally rises and falls, heightening emotional expression several times beyond ordinary language."
Conductor Song An-hoon, who holds the distinction of being the first kapellmeister from Asia at the Theater Osnabrück in Germany, will lead the Korean National Symphony Orchestra. Song emphasized the unique characteristics that define Korean musical expression. "The beauty of Korean music lies in breath," he noted. "Western music carries its story through sustained phrasing, whereas Korean music expresses emotion through the act of breathing itself—inhaling and exhaling to convey 'han,' the deep sentiment of sorrow and longing."
Song further explained how traditional Korean aesthetics influence the musical approach: "The aesthetic of emptiness also applies here, as even pauses are filled with breath and connection." This philosophical understanding of Korean music sets the production apart from conventional Western operatic traditions.
The production team has placed significant emphasis on the cultural preservation aspect of their work. "If the dialect of Andong disappears and this generation fades away, the language that captures the region's spirit will vanish as well," Jung stated. "In that sense, this production will serve as a treasure trove of a disappearing culture."
"Hwajeonga" represents part of the Korea National Opera's broader initiative to showcase distinctively Korean narratives on the international stage. Choi Sang-ho, artistic and general director of the Korea National Opera, expressed his vision for the company's direction: "I believe the time has come for Korean opera to find its own voice. 'Hwajeonga' faithfully reflects Korean sentiment while conveying a message that international audiences can also relate to."
Choi added that the opera delivers universal themes that transcend cultural boundaries: "The story delivers a universal message about generational disconnection and the restoration of community." This combination of specifically Korean cultural elements with broadly relatable human experiences positions the work to resonate with both domestic and international audiences.
"Hwajeonga" will run at the Opera House of the Seoul Arts Center on October 25 and 26. To expand accessibility, the October 25 performance will be livestreamed through the Korea National Opera's myOpera Live platform as well as Naver TV, allowing audiences beyond the physical theater to experience this groundbreaking production.
