KIM JIYOUNG, BORN 1982
Schauspiel Köln, October 2023
by Cho Nam-Joo
What’s going on with Kim Jiyoung? The ordinary woman in her early 30s who lives with her husband and child on the outskirts of the mega-city Seoul, suddenly starts to act out. She imitates women from her surroundings, casts off her role as considerate housewife and mother, and snubs her relatives. Therapy is supposed to help »fix« Kim Jiyoung. Yet a glance at her biography reveals much more than the story of a singular, individual fate. Raised as a girl in a patriarchal society to restrain herself and to »smile away« uncomfortable situations, Kim Jiyoung is constantly encountering barriers – within her family, her studies, her professional life, and even as a mother.
Author Cho Nam-Joo soberly and vividly depicts an ordinary woman’s painful life. Her book, which became an international bestseller, shook up the South Korean society and sparked heated debates and protests.
Team:
with Nicola Gründel, Kristin Steffen, Kotti Yun, Jae A Shin (Live-Music) and Andrea Voß (Soufflage)
Extras (alternating): Nina Jaunich, Swaantje Reichstein, Jane Dunker, Gisela Pflughaupt, Elsalam Yohanes, Ada Eze, Zoe Camara, Nadine Kubitza, Marilene Mostert, Leila Schwarz, Tarik Teklu and Tamara Ebner
and Nikolaus Benda’s voice
Directing: Marie Schleef Stage Design & Surtitles: Seongji Jang Costumes: Ji Hyung Nam Live-Music: Jae A Shin Lighting: Jürgen Kapitein Movement Coach & Training: Arzu Erdem-Gallinger Dramaturgy: Sibylle Dudek
© Tommy Hetzel