ARI-The Spirit of Korea

Programs

Arirang is a traditional folk song inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and represents the sentiments of the Korean people. This is why even a mere auditory experience of the lyrics, "Arirang, Arirang, Arariyo," evokes a profound emotional response among Koreans.
The lyrics and melody of Arirang exhibit slight regional variations. Jeongseon Arirang is particularly renowned, being regarded as one of the three principal Arirangs of Korea, along with Jindo Arirang and Miryang Arirang.
The musical performance titled ARI-The Spirit of Korea represents a reinterpretation of the traditional Jeongseon Arirang. The performance is regularly presented in conjunction with the opening of Jeongseon 5-Day Market. In 2023, the creative musical was bestowed with the Best Play and Musical Performance Award at the Adelaide Fringe, which is regarded as one of the three most significant performing arts festivals globally. In the current year, the production is undergoing an expansion of its presence by participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which is considered the largest performing arts festival worldwide. The musical has thus far received favorable reviews.
The primary figures in the work are Shin Gi-mok, a woodcutter and carpenter from Jeongseon, and his daughter, Ari. Shin traveled to Hanyang with the intention of constructing Gyeongbokgung Palace, yet he ultimately suffered a financial loss. Ari subsequently departed for Hanyang upon learning that her father, whom she had presumed to be deceased, was, in fact, still alive. The journey is depicted through a variety of elements, including the Jeongseon Arirang melody, contemporary music, and three-dimensional holograms, with the objective of creating a profound impression on the audience.