Korea’s traditional performing arts are experiencing a remarkable revival, sparked by the international release of the drama “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” this November. Set in the 1950s, in the aftermath of the Korean War, the series follows two women in the Maeran National Theater Troupe: the gifted pansori performer Yoon Jeong-nyeon (Kim Tae-ri) and ambitious student Heo Young-seo (Shin Ye-eun), who are mentored by theater director Kang So-bok (Ra Mi-ran).

The show spotlights the all-female operas that were popular in Korea at that time. Cast members underwent intensive training in pansori, Korea’s unique musical genre where a solo vocalist sings a lyrical opera accompanied by a drummer. They also received lessons in traditional dance and acting for opera – some training lasted up to three years. As a result, the expertise exhibited in the performances has been highly praised. The drama is based on the award-winning eponymous webtoon “Jeongnyeon.” Together, they have reignited widespread interest in traditional Korean music and arts. The success of the drama has extended to streaming platforms that feature complete versions of its elaborate stage performances, including unreleased footage.

This resurgence of women’s traditional arts is exemplified by the upcoming production “Korea’s First Women’s Opera: The Women Who Became Legends.” Organized by the Korea Heritage Service, this production unites veteran and emerging performers to celebrate and revitalize the art form.

A modern reinterpretation of the traditional Bongsalpuri-chum by choreographer Park So-bong (Photo courtesy of Park So-bong)

This revival extends beyond traditional theater companies. Choreographer and stage director Park So-bong has been pioneering innovative interpretations of traditional Korean narratives for contemporary audiences. Her production “Questions That Came at Forty,” staged last year at the Sejong Art Center for the Performing Arts, marked a personal milestone in her mission to explore and preserve the richness of Korean culture. The show masterfully blended traditional Korean dance and pansori with contemporary street dance, creating an engaging dialogue between different genres.

SsangseolJanggu-chum, performed to share blessings and pray for peace (Photo courtesy of Park So-bong)

Park continues to celebrate Korean heritage through performances featuring ssangseoljanggu – a dynamic performance where two dancers simultaneously play Korea’s hourglass-shaped drum janggu – and salpurijangdan, a rhythmic pattern/meter used in Korean traditional music. Her work reflects a deep commitment to sharing the emotional resonance of Korean culture with audiences from diverse backgrounds.

Meanwhile, the National Changgeuk Company of Korea recently staged “The Story of Lee Nal-chi” at the National Theater of Korea’s Daloreum Theater. This changgeuk – a Korean traditional opera developed from pansori – chronicles the real life story of Lee Kyung-sook (1820-1892), one of the eight great pansori masters who emerged toward the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Dubbed “Nal-chi” (flying fish) for his tightrope-walking skills, he rose from slavery to become a renowned performer, first as a tightrope walker and later as a master singer.

National Changgeuk Company’s performance of “The Story of Lee Nal-chi” (Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea)

The production opens with a spectacular display of tightrope walking by Nam Chang-dong, a certified National Intangible Heritage performer. What follows is a seamless blend of contemporary and traditional Korean performing arts – pansori, drumming, mask dances and plate spinning. At one stage, the hit song “Tiger Is Coming” by pansori pop band Leenalchi plays as a traditional lion dance is performed. Despite its many elements, the show maintains a perfect balance of entertainment forms.

The close of this year will see multiple cultural treasures brought back to Seoul’s stages. After six years, the acclaimed dance production “Hyangyeon” has returned, featuring 50 dancers who bring centuries-old traditions to life. The performance follows the natural rhythms of Korea’s changing seasons while weaving together various dances (chum in Korean) – sacred Jongmyo Shrine court rituals, the spiritual Bara-chum and the beloved folk dance Janggu-chum.

A scene from the National Dance Company’s “Hyangyeon,” which sparked a Korean dance phenomenon (Photo courtesy of the National Theater of Korea)

The National Changgeuk Company is also nurturing new voices through its “Small Changgeuk Series.” Young composers, supported by the company's development program, are breathing fresh life into classical stories. Works like “Ongcheo” and “Dendong-eomi Hwajeon-ga” show how traditional narratives can speak to contemporary audiences while preserving their cultural essence.