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# The song of life for all

Growing up, I lived in a remote countryside that could only be reached by long winding roads. There was a huge tree on the village hill. I can’t remember if it was an oak or Zelkova, but it was too big to embrace with arms stretched out. Kids always played around the tree. We would play on a tree swing, tip-cat, and hide and seek. I remember how satisfying it felt when I sat on the swing hanging from the tree. I thought I could just fly away and reach anywhere. This was a time when there were no smartphones or video games. The tree welcomed every kid in the village with open arms. All it did was just to stand there, but in a really comforting and healing way.

ACC original production: Family musical Tree Child

What reminded me of a long-forgotten scene from my childhood was Tree Child, a family musical about a lonely human boy and his tree father on a journey toward a new world. The plot may sound absurd to many. How can a human boy have a tree dad? Is a standing tree capable of being a good dad? From a biological standpoint, this is nonsense. But anyone who played with a tree swing as a child might be able to relate to it. Perhaps a tree would give me a ride on its shoulders like my dad.

Tree Child follows the story of a boy and his tree father, as they embark on a journey to find hope after being abandoned by the world. The musical is a child-friendly reinterpretation of the traditional Korean folk tale The Tree Bachelor and the Great Flood. It was made as an original production as part of the ACC’s 2019-2020 initiative to produce children’s content based on Asian stories. Since its first premiere at the ACC Playhouse in 2020, it has been performed more than 55 times. The beloved performance is ideal for families with young children.

Once upon a time, a boy was crying under a big tree. His name was Tree Child, and children in the village did not play with him because his dad was a tree. He wanted to play with them, but he loved his dad deeply and could not leave him behind. Unlike a human dad, his dad could not travel with him or help him get up when he fell. But he was still a great dad to Tree Child. He would offer shade or a ride on his shoulders, so that the boy could see the bigger world. The boy felt safe and complete with him.

ACC original production: Family musical Tree Child

“Son, I’m so sorry for being a tree…”

But good times went by fast. The goddess Mago became enraged by greedy humans who felled trees for their gains. Heavy rain started to fall and engulfed the whole world. After everything was washed up, Tree Dad and his son set out an adventure for the first time in search for a new place to settle down.

Tree Dad pulled himself up by the roots to turn into a log for the boy to ride in the flood water. Where would the two finally be headed? Would Tree Dad be able to protect his son? He proved himself to be a great father. He managed to save not only his son from the water, but also an ant, a wild boar, a mosquito, as well as the boy who used to make fun of Tree Child. Together, they found a new land.

But Tree Dad was unable to reach the land, as he had uprooted himself. Now he had to say goodbye to his beloved son. Tree Child was also heartbroken to leave his dear father behind. Grown children leaving their parents is natural, but the parting between Tree Dad and Tree Child is heart wrenching, as they could never see each other again. Feeling forever indebted to his father who sacrificed himself, Tree Child set his foot upon the new world. The emotional ending moves many to tears.

ACC original production: Family musical Tree Child

Tree Child reached a new land, but a big challenge awaited him. He had to grow a flower from the rotten seed the goddess Mago had given him. He held the seed and started singing ‘the song of forest that makes buds sprout.’ Flowers began to blossom and trees started to grow following the beautiful melodies. Soon, the world turned into the land of life filled with lush forests. The song of life sung by Tree Dad and Tree Child transformed ruins into a new lively area. The performance ends with a note that this is when the nature as we know it came to life.

The musical Tree Child asks the audience to join the cast in singing the song of forest to once again restore our ailing Earth and save all. The meaningful message finds its relevance in the age of climate change. Aside from the well-crafted plotline, live gugak, or traditional Korean music from traditional musical instruments, such as daegeum, geomungo, gayageum, haegeum, and percussions is mesmerizing. The second you step out of the theater, you will hear yourself singing,

# Can a ghost-hunting Sapsal and a troublemaker goblin become friends?

ACC Playhouse co-production: Gugak musical Goblin’s Friend Sapsal

Another musical that focuses on gugak is an ACC Playhouse co-production titled Goblin’s Friend Sapsal. Jointly produced by the ACC and a local performing arts company, the show explores if a ghost-hunting Sapsal and a troublemaker goblin can become friends in an exciting tale of adventure and friendship.

ACC Playhouse co-production: Gugak musical Goblin’s Friend Sapsal

It features a host of lovable characters, including a dokkaebi goblin from Korean folklore, not an oni goblin with horns; a Sapsal dog native to Korea; a man with a huge lump on his face who is a staple in traditional Korean folk tales; and a sack monster, a character inspired by an old man with mangtae (a mesh bag). An interesting blend of a folk tale, familiar melodies, media, and traditional percussions and haegeum creates an engaging musical experience. The gugak musical Goblin’s Friend Sapsal touches upon the respect for individual differences, a value that is highly relevant in today’s world. The friendship between mischievous goblins and the loyal Sapsal shows that we can make friends with anybody if we keep an open mind.

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