In its latest “Rediscovering Modern Korean Dramas” series, the National Theater Company of Korea is celebrating the works of powerful plays that are considered theater classics.

Hitting the stage starting next month will be the return of three productions: “A New Common Sense,” “Blood Vessel” and “Sanhuhguri.” 

“These modern Korean dramas encompass all the surprising and crazy thoughts that everyone wishes they could express aloud, but can’t,” said NTCK artistic director Kim Yoong-chul during a press conference held at the National Theater Company of Korea in central Seoul on Wednesday.

“I believe these three productions also contain elements that some contemporary writers these days tend to gloss over, including narration, strong development of character personality and understanding the power of language,” he added.

At a time when realism is the leading trend in theater, kicking off the NTCK’s latest theater series is the laugh-out-loud black comedy, “A New Common Sense.” It has been written by Korean playwright Lee Gun-sam, whose productions are known for placing greater emphasis on entertaining the audience through sarcasm and dark humor. 

“The play is about pushing the boundaries of what is modern and contemporary,” said New Common Sense director Suh Chung-sik. “When I looked back and read the contemporary play scripts when I was in my 20s, I realize that now, 30 years later, these stories depict the life we are living now.”

“It’s been exactly 50 years since this play was first made, and I think the audience is really going to enjoy and laugh when they notice all the overlapping truths between present time and a contemporary production from decades ago.” 

“A New Common Sense” portrays the life of a simple, hardworking businessman who becomes aware of the seedy world of deviousness and is referred to as a play for anyone who has ever felt or been rejected and dejected in life. The play will be staged from April 6 to 24 at the Baek Seonghui & Jang Minho Theater in Central Seoul, with ticket prices listed at 30,000 won ($25.70).

Next in the theater’s three-part series will be Kim Young-su’s historic tale “Blood Vessel,” which will be staged April 20 to May 15 at the Myeong-dong Theater, while playwright Ham Se-deok’s “Sanhuhguri” will hit the stage from Oct. 8 to Oct. 30. For more information, visit www.ntck.or.kr.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)