Several traditional Korean plays satirize the classes. Kkok-dugak-sinoleum is one of these and it is unique in that it is animated. The play was traditionally performed by Namsadang, nomadic acting troops in China.
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Story of Kkok-du-gak-si-noleum
Story of Kkok-du-gak-si-noleum
Kkok-dugak-sinoleum was written during late Joseon dynasty (1932 ~ 1910), when literature for the masses began to flourish. These are seven or eight acts, the first of which is ¡®Kok-yyejang¡¯. Park, who has traveled all over the country, finally joins a Namsadang.
In ¡®Dwijeol¡¯, the second act, an apostate monk falls in love with his nephew so Park is kicked out.
The third act is set at ¡®Choi Young Lo¡¯s House¡¯. Park goes to Choi¡¯s house to catch a bird, but when he gets there, he happens upon a monster that eats people, and the new character Hong Dong Si rescues him.
In ¡®Dong Bang¡¯s Old Man¡¯, an old man contemplates the unfairness of life.
¡®Pye Saeng Won¡¯ follows in the fifth act with Pye seeing his former wife, Kkodugaksi again. His possessions are divided among his wives but his present wife receives more than her, so she goes to a temple and becomes a nun.
In the sixth act, called ¡®Haws Hunting¡¯ the new governor of Pyungang wants to hunt haws so he orders that a hunter and haws to be brought to him.
¡®Pyungang Governor Bier¡¯ follows with the death of his mother, and his lack of remorse.
The final act, called ¡®Geonsa¡¯, brings Park back to request that a temple be built. Two monks appear, build it, and then destroy it.
Meaning of Kkok-du-gak-si-noleum
Kkok-dugak-sinoleum shows Park¡¯s life in a unique way; namely that his family is brought to ruin and then rescued. It also highlights the empty lives and material wealth of the upper class.
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25-03-2002 |
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