Author Kim Young-ha’s celebrated novel “The Empire of Light“ has been adapted into a joint Korea-France dramatic production as part of the Korea-France Year 2015-2016 celebrating the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.  

An English-language translation of the novel ”Your Republic is Calling You” was released in 2010. 

The Korean-language play was produced by the National Theater Company of Korea and directed by French actor and director Arthur Nauzyciel. Following its staging in Seoul, the play will makes its debut in Orleans, France in May.

“I’ve always been curious about Korea, and although I didn’t know what the project would be, I said ‘Yes,’” said Nauzyciel during a press conference held in Seoul last week. 

“I read it (the novel) just before coming here for the first time and I liked it,” he continued. “What I liked the most was actually, was how this division and separation (between the two Koreas) can affect people’s lives. I hope that this show will leap over these cultural differences, because we tried to take it in a very universal way.”

“The Empire of Light,” adapted by Nauzyciel and French artist Valeri Mrejen, tells the suspenseful tale of a seemingly ordinary man and his family living in Seoul. However, a mysterious email snaps foreign film importer Kim Ki-yong back to his almost-forgotten reality -- he is a North Korean spy who has been living in the South for the past two decades. The sudden order from Pyongyang gives Kim just 24 hours to erase all evidence of his existence in Seoul.

“Of course because I am a foreigner, I wouldn’t dare (approach the play) as a lecture about a history of Korea and I don’t want to judge any of the parts involved. We are artists and poets, so we tried to find an angle that will show something human and true about these kinds of emotions,” said the director. 

“I have to say, coming from France, there is something very moving in discovering the history of the Korean people. It’s a very heartbreaking story, since so many centuries, and I’m happy to have discovered it through this experience that we are doing together,” Nauzyciel added. 

This production, which made its world premiere Friday, stars theater and film actor Ji Hyun-jun as North Korean spy Kim, as well as local film and TV actress Moon So-ri as Kim’s wife. 

“The Empire of Light” marks Moon’s first stage production in six years.
“I think one of the most important points of ‘The Empire of Light’ is this process of transformation that you see,” said Moon during the press conference. “Within this process lies a deep connection between Korean history and society.” 

“When I first met the director, we met for lunch, and then lunch turned into dinner and then we just kept talking until 9 p.m.,” she added. “Speaking with one another is just very exciting and inspirational, we really connected well.” 

The play also features actors Jung Seng-gil, Yang Dong-tak, Kim Han, Yang Young-mi, Kim Chung-hoon and Lee Hong-jae.

“The Empire of Light” will be staged daily, except on Tuesdays, at the Myeong-dong Theater in Seoul until March 27. English subtitles will be provided on March 10, 13 and 27, while French subtitles will be offered on March 17, 20 and 24. 

Ticket prices range from 20,000 won ($16.70) to 50,000 won. For more information, visit www.ntck.or.kr. 

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)