The National Theater Company of Korea will present the surrealist play "River and Liver" at the Myeongdong Theater in Seoul from September 27 to October 19.
Written by Dong I-hyang, the play won the 14th Cha Beom-seok Award in 2020 for its rhythmic, ping-pong-like dialogue, fragmented scenes, and surreal situations that challenge conventional storytelling.
The narrative follows L, a middle-aged woman living with her husband O in an old house overlooking the Han River. Her mundane life begins to unravel as bizarre events disrupt her routine: a massive sinkhole forms inside their home, doctors are baffled by her worsening shoulder pain, her husband seems to be involved with another woman, and her first love reappears as a mermaid.
As these strange occurrences escalate, an overwhelming sense of emptiness pervades L's monotonous existence. Through these surreal scenarios, the play delves into the existential void that often lies hidden within our lives.
Dong described "River and Liver" as “a fable about the emptiness within us, trapped in a time called the future, with no exit.” Director Lee In-su added, “Amid the realistic portrayal of everyday life, surreal elements are added. I hope the audience will approach these moments with their senses and intuition, rather than relying on reason or logic.”
English subtitles will be provided on Thursdays and Sundays, while Korean subtitles will be available on Mondays and Fridays.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
