The creative group Geogigamyeon will grace the stage in April 2026 with the steady-selling masked play "Sora Byeol iyagi," which has been performed steadily since its premiere in 2011 and has drawn audience praise. This performance commemorates the 15th anniversary of "Sora Byeol iyagi," and audience expectations are high for the already proven masked play "Sora Byeol iyagi."
Geogigamyeon, led by Professor Baek Nam-young of Chung-Ang University, will perform "Sora Byeol iyagi" at Theater Keum in Hyehwa, Seoul, from Tuesday, April 21, to Sunday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Also, at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, a performance of "Sora Byeol iyagi" is scheduled at the Yeju Culture and Arts Center grand theater in Yeongdeok, North Gyeongsang, ahead of the Seoul performances, so more audiences are expected to experience the emotion.
Even those unfamiliar with masks or mask plays can enjoy Geogigamyeon's representative work, "Sora Byeol iyagi," which has produced numerous outstanding stars. Many actors who are currently active across stage and video media—Kang Hanna, Park Jeong-won, Kim Gi-taek, Lee Dohyun (real name Im Dong-hyun), Roh Jae Won, Ahn Young-bin and others—have helped create this work.
Lee Su-eun, the company's representative and mask designer, created half masks that perfectly capture the characters' traits, allowing actors to transform into a variety of characters such as children, a foul-mouthed grandfather and a water fairy, delivering the charm of this piece. Also, the humble stories and pure messages hidden within the masks leave a lasting, deep impression on the audience. The 2026 production of "Sora Byeol iyagi" features Song Young-hoon, Hong Sang-pyo, Choi Jeong-heon, Lee Kyung-eun, Choi Kyung-chul, Kim Jae-min, Eom Hye-rin, Kim Tae Kyun, Lee So-ri and others.
"Sora Byeol iyagi" was officially invited to the 2012 Folkwang Physical Theatre Festival in Germany, where it drew strong praise locally. It also won the grand prize in the fringe category at the 12th Pohang Sea International Performing Arts Festival and won best work, best director and best actor awards at the 2013 Gimcheon International Family Theater Festival, earning significant recognition for its artistic merit at home and abroad.
Also, at the 35th Geochang International Theatre Festival in 2025, they once again demonstrated the strength of masked theater by winning the grand prize, best director and best actor awards for the masked play Twelfth Night.
"Sora Byeol iyagi," which captures warm sensibilities through traditional Korean costumes and music, is a work like a time machine that returns adults to their pure childhood. This piece, which spans all generations, becomes a "letter of memories" addressed to older generations about bygone days, and to children it is likely to come across like a "romantic fairy tale" featuring stories filled with pure sentiment and charming, lovable characters.
The creative group Geogigamyeon pioneered the "masked play" genre, which uses masks as the main object, and since its founding in 2008 has steadily developed high-quality works. The varied faces presented through diverse masks have become a new stage language that only Geogigamyeon can present.<
[Photo] Sora Byeol iyagi
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