WINNERS GALLERY

‘Toongso Whistles’ was performed at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from November 11 to 27, 2024, and was also named one of the “Top 3 Plays of the Year” by the International Association of Theatre Critics Korea in the same year. Mr. Koh Sun-Woong, the artistic director of the Seoul Metropolitan Theater, who was responsible for the play’s adaptation and direction, was selected as the first recipient of the ‘2024 Theatre Actor of the Year’ award, recognizing his artistic achievements. This work, based on a classical Korean novel from the Joseon Dynasty, reinterprets traditional Korean rhythms with a modern twist. The combination of △traditional Korean music performance, △the actors’ passionate performances, and △ Koh Sun-Woong’s unique directorial style, blending Korean and modern aesthetics, has made Toongso Whistles a representative play of Korea.

The story, depicting the people’s resilience through humor and laughter even amidst war, resonated deeply with the audience and received high praise. Especially notable was Koh Sun-Woong’s direction, which provided deep enjoyment and emotional impact through playful and natural scene transitions. In response to audience demand, ‘Toongso Whistles’ will be re-staged at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from September 5 to 28. Koh Sun-Woong, the artistic director of Seoul Metropolitan Theater, stated, “I will continue to create works that share with the audience the emotions of thinking, laughing, and crying together, reflecting the nostalgia of the past, the present experience, and the anticipation and tension of the future.”