This exhibition highlights the life and work of playwright Park Jo-yeol, focusing on his renowned play “Soldier’s Mementos.”
Born in Hamju County, South Hamgyong Province, Park Jo-yeol (1930–2016) fled south during the Korean War. He served as a soldier for about 13 years before becoming a playwright. In 1974, he wrote “Soldier’s Mementos,” a play that uses humor and irony to reflect on the wounds of war and his longing for his hometown. Exploring themes of “war” and “military,” the play was deemed as a “subversive and problematic work” during the height of the Cold War and the era of anti-communist ideology. As a result, it was banned from being performed for many years. In 1988, after 14 years, it premiered under the Michu Theater Company. The following year, it received widespread acclaim, winning the Grand Prize, Best Play, Best Direction, and Best Playwriting awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
In the late 1980s, Park Jo-yeol actively tackled the issue of “pre censorship of theater scripts” and led the “freedom of expression movement.” He also played a key role in the development of the theater community by advocating for regional theater festivals, promoting theatrical exchanges between Korea and Japan, and encouraging the production of original plays.
We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Park Jo-yeol and his representative work, “Soldier’s Mementos.”