Jointly organized by the National Theater Company of Korea and the National Asian Culture Center (ACC), the reading session is a related program to the ACC Archive Special Exhibition “Park Jo-yeol and ‘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 approximately 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 the “military,” the play was deemed 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. After 14 years, however, in 1988, it premiered under the Michu Theater Company. The following year, it was widely acclaimed, winning the Grand Prize, Best Play, Best Direction, and Best Playwriting awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards.

Experience “Soldier’s Mementos,” a piece that has become a classic in modern Korean theater, through a reading performance by the National Theater Company of Korea.