Changgeuk

Changgeuk or ch'angguk is a genre of traditional Korean opera, performed as a but in the Korean folk song style known as pansori. In Korean, “chang” means pansori and “geuk” means drama. Changgeuk represents a fusion of pansori and Western theater/drama, drawing upon elements of both traditions to create a unique and dynamic form of musical theater that reflects Korea's cultural heritage while also embracing global influences. It maintains the narrative storytelling aspect of pansori and incorporates Western storytelling techniques. Changgeuk productions typically involve a large cast of performers who take on the roles of different characters in the story. They combine traditional Korean instruments like the buk (drum) and gayageum (zither) with Western instruments such as the violin and piano, and they make use of elaborate sets, costumes, props, and staging techniques to create the world of the story and enhance the storytelling experience.

History and Evolution
During the 17th century, Korea became increasingly isolationist and transformed into a hermit kingdom, cut off from the rest of the world. This era of isolationism, sometimes referred to as the "Closed Door Policy," lasted until the turn of the 20th century. After Korea opened its doors to foreign countries, new forms of entertainment - such as Japanese shinpa, or new wave, theater, and modern Western drama - were introduced and started to gain popularity, meanwhile the popularity of traditional pansori began to decline. Subsequently, changgeuk emerged. 1908 officially marked the beginning of modern Korean musical theater with the first changgeuk performance, a work titled "The Silver World" ("Eunsegye"). When it was first introduced, however, changgeuk failed to flourish due to a lack of creative materials, among other reasons, and it languished in obscurity for a long time. In the past few years, some notable changes have occurred which has led to the revival of changgeuk. At the center of this renaissance is the National Changgeuk Company of Korea, established in 1962 as a troupe of the National Theater of Korea. The Company has produced a series of creative works featuring fresh interpretations and stylish stage settings that has catapulted changgeuk into the national spotlight. The Company operates around three key initiatives: first, recreating the five surviving stories of pansori (including Shimcheong-ga, Chunhyang-ga, Heungbo-ga, Sugung-ga, and Jeokbyeok-ga) into changgeuk; second, updating the seven pansori classics that have been partially handed down (e.g., Byeon Gangsoe Taryeong, Baebijang Taryeong, Byeongangsoe-ga) into changgeuk; and third, adapting foreign classical plays into changgeuk. The Company also launched the "Changgeuk of World Master's Choice" program, which invited prominent theater directors from overseas to reinterpret changgeuk works in new ways. The Company's efforts have been successful and received enthusiastic responses from contemporary audiences.

Example
Suggungga (Mr. Rabbit and the Dragon King) tells a story about a shrewd rabbit who manages to return home safely using clever tricks after having visited the Dragon King's palace, which is located under the sea. The Dragon King had invited the rabbit to his palace to eat its liver after being told it that rabbit liver is the only cure for his illness. Sugungga is full of humor and also contains metaphors criticizing society.