'Gwangdae' runs until Feb. 16 with English subtitles

The National Jeongdong Theater’s latest ambitious production, "Gwangdae," is running as part of the 2025 K-Culture Series.
Meaning "clown" in Korean, gwangdae refers to traditional Korean performers who are versatile artists skilled in a variety of forms of entertainment, including singing, dancing and acrobatics.
This 80-minute show offers a vibrant fusion of Korea’s traditional art forms, presented as an immersive spectacle of music, dance and drama that brings the country’s living traditions to life on stage.
Audiences will be treated to a dynamic blend of refined royal court dances, boisterous folk dances, pansori (traditional narrative singing), pungmul (percussion performance) and acrobatic feats like beona (plate spinning) and the sangmo spinning dance.

The story of “Gwangdae” mirrors the real-life history of Jeongdong Theater. It begins with the theater’s artistic director, Sun-baek, and his troupe rehearsing for their ambitious recreation of “Sochundaeyuhui,” Korea’s first modern paid performance, originally staged in 1902 by Heopyulsa Theater.
When an unexpected power outage interrupts the rehearsal, Sun-baek hums an old tune, inadvertently opening a crack that bridges the past and present. As the space transforms, the gwangdae and spirits who have safeguarded the theater for a century appear alongside Obangshin, guardian spirits rooted in Korea’s ancient folklore, who protect the five cardinal directions.
Together, the gwangdae from the past and the living troupe embark on a journey through 100 years of history, bridging different eras through artistic collaboration.
Last year, the Jeongdong Theater launched the K-Culture Series, a signature program that celebrates Korea’s cultural heritage through performances.
“Gwangdae” builds on last November’s week-long showcase, "Sochundaeyuhui: The Eternal Troupe," and has been renewed as the first work in the theater's official repertoire for the series.
The creative directors said during a press conference that the 1902 performance took place when the banquet celebrating the 40th anniversary of Emperor Gojong’s accession was canceled due to an outbreak of disease. In its place, Heopyulsa staged a paid performance.
As the event was originally planned as a gathering to welcome foreign diplomatic delegations, the finest artists in pansori, mask dance, acrobatics and royal court dance are said to have come together.
“Gwangdae” runs until Feb. 16, with performances every day except Mondays and select days during the Lunar New Year holiday, Jan. 28-29.
English subtitles are shown on both sides of the stage.