Experience the Timeless Love Story: Kim Mi-jin’s Full Performance of ‘Chunhyangga’ on May 9

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Kim Mi-jin, the principal singer of the National Changgeuk Company’s Changak Department, will present a complete, 6-hour performance of Chunhyangga.

The National Changgeuk Company, the resident ensemble of the National Theater of Korea, will stage \”Full-length Pansori: Kim Mi-jin’s Chunhyangga\” on May 9 at the Daloreum Theater in Jung-gu, Seoul. Chunhyangga is a classic pansori that follows Chunhyang and Lee Mong-ryong as their love defies rigid social boundaries.

Born in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, Kim Mi-jin began studying pansori at her grandmother’s urging. She trained under masters Lee Eun-ha, Seong Chang-sun, Ahn Sook-sun and Seong Woo-hyang. Since joining the National Changgeuk Company in 2001, she has demonstrated a wide artistic range in productions including Jeongnyeoni, Seopyeonje and Janghwa Hongryeon. A committed performer of full-length works, she has completed full renditions of Sugungga, Simcheongga and Heungboga. Kim won the master singers division grand prize at the 2019 Seopyeonje Boseong Sori Festival and was the pansori general division champion at the 2006 Imbangul Gugak Festival, achievements that established her reputation as a leading vocalist.

For this performance she will present the Kim Se-jong version of Chunhyangga. Kim Se-jong (1825–1898) was a distinguished pansori master active during the late Joseon era under the reigns of Heonjong, Cheoljong and Gojong. His edition of Chunhyangga is noted for its restrained, lyrical flow—eschewing emotional excess—and for literary strength and realistic melodic phrasing that render characters’ inner lives with striking depth.

Accompanying her on the drum will be Kim Cheong-man, a designated holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property for pansori technique; Im Hyun-bin, concertmaster of the Namwon Municipal Gugak Orchestra and a certified performer of Heungboga as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage; and Kim Tae-young, winner of the President’s Prize at the 37th National Gosu Competition. Professor Seong Gi-ryeon of Seoul National University will provide commentary and serve as host to guide the audience.

Kim said returning to a full-length pansori stage after 10 years—since her complete performance of Simcheongga in 2016—feels especially meaningful. \”I want to concentrate on the characters’ subtle emotional arcs, vocal color and ornamentation to deliver a sincere, deeply felt performance,\” she said.

The National Theater’s Full-length Pansori series began in December 1984 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Shin Jae-hyo’s death and became a regular program in 1985. Now in its 41st year, the series has showcased the country’s foremost singers, offering performers the most prestigious stage for pansori and giving audiences rare access to masterful voices.