"Park Jeong-ja, Gil Yong-woo, Song Hyun-ok's meeting... moving interdisciplinary art piece"
Violist Kim Nam-jung is active as the music director for the play "Dondeboi: The Journey of Gakaek" (hereafter, Dondeboi).
The play "Dondeboi" (directed by Song Hyun-ok) is produced based on the novel "The Journey of Gakaek" by Hugo Salcedo, which is inspired by the tragic true story of a Mexican refugee's illegal immigration process to the United States. Actors Park Jeong-ja, Gil Yong-woo, and Oh Ju-won will appear. It will be performed on March 14 at Ulju Culture and Arts Center and on April 4-5 at Uijeongbu Arts Center's grand theater.
Music director Kim Nam-jung noted, "It is a great honor for me personally to work with actors Park Jeong-ja and Gil Yong-woo, who represent Korea." He added, "I tried to express the sadness and hope of immigrants and the longing of those left behind through music and song. As a piece that claims to be an 'emotional music drama,' I am striving to present a rich melody that harmonizes the emotions of the actors on stage and touches the emotions of the audience."
"Dondeboi" is also an interdisciplinary art piece where various artistic worlds such as theater, music, and dance come together. Regarding this, he remarked, "We are learning and healing a lot through the process of respecting, caring for, and harmonizing each other's fields. Bringing a single artwork to the stage seems impossible without giving and caring for each other. I also thank director Song Hyun-ok for inspiring the artists in each field to freely create while leading the play."
This year, the theater company "Mulgyeol" showcasing "Dondeboi" aims for comprehensive performing arts utilizing theater, dance, music, art, literature, and video. It has received praise not only for its deep dialogue and concise poetic language but also for its unique physical aesthetics. It is causing a wave in the performing arts community with a diverse repertoire and continuous creative activities.
Earlier, Kim Nam-jung was recognized for his capabilities as an artistic director by winning the Best Music Award at the 2019 interdisciplinary performing arts festival "Padaf" (Play And Dance Art Festival) with "Today is Viola." Since 2022, he has founded the Interdisciplinary Performing Arts Association, expanding his reach through numerous performance planning and artistic directorships while continuing his passionate journey.
Kim Nam-jung has had the distinction of performing as the first violist at the UN headquarters during a general assembly and received the UN International Peace Contribution Artist Award. He is consistently invited to perform recitals in world-renowned concert halls such as Carnegie Hall and Berlin Philharmonie. In 2023, he obtained a doctoral degree in integrated arts and was appointed as a non-standing director of the Seoul City Symphony Orchestra.
[Photo] Kim Nam-jung, poster
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