Doosan Art Center Stages "Gaeng": A Play Exploring the Meaning of Survival Across Generations
September 2-20 at Space 111
Dong-A Theater Award "Best New Director" Bonju's New Work
A Story of Survival Connecting the Industrial Generation to Gen Z
The Doosan Art Center (DAC) will stage the play "Gyeong (更)" from September 2 to September 20 at Space 111. The play explores the meaning of survival as multiple generations, each with different standards of "a good life," come together to cook food.
"Gyeong" is a new work written and directed by Bonju, the head of the theater group Survivor Project, who was selected as a DAC Artist.
The main character, "Piyoung," is a nutritionist who leaves her job at a school cafeteria to open her own kitchen. Struggling to manage her kitchen amid financial hardship, she is suddenly diagnosed with early-onset menopause. Making matters worse, her grandfather "Cheontae" appears at her doorstep, and Piyoung refuses to take care of him. She then comes into conflict with her mother "Geumok" over Cheontae's industrial accident compensation.
The play features Geumok, whose stomach was once filled with only porridge; Cheontae, who worked like a machine during Korea's rapid economic growth and has now grown old; and Dorothy and Bari, who are learning how to build relationships within the precarious life of temporary employment. Characters representing different generations—including those shaped by industrialization, the baby boom, Millennials, and Gen Z—are all depicted. These generations mix together, each striving for survival in their own way, as the play objectively portrays the modern human condition.
Director Bonju explained that the work was partly autobiographical, reflecting her experiences last year when she faced severe financial difficulties and a harsh society.
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Director Bonju received the "Best New Director" award at the 61st Dong-a Theater Awards in 2024 for "Collaborative Creation Failure Documentary: Can Survivor Project Survive?" As a playwright and director, she has continued to explore themes of violence and survival, shedding light on violence from diverse perspectives such as family, school, society, environment, gender, and history.
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