Shamans in Contemporary Korean Theatre

Shamans in Contemporary Korean Theatre draws an absorbing parallel between Korea’s most innovative theatre practitioners and the ancient Kut – or shamanic rituals – that are preserved to this day by professional exponents. Framing these two forms as vital chapters in Korea’s performative culture, this book traces the roots the nation’s contemporary performances back to its ancient traditions.

Kut is here represented by the introduction of two leading professional shamans and their specific rituals:

• Kim Kum-hwa, a female North Korean shaman who practices the Mansin Kut (Ten Thousand Spirits ritual)
• Pak Pyong-ch’on, a male South Korean practitioner of Ssitkkim Kut (Cleansing ritual).

These highly respected figures are juxtaposed with four discreet and diverse theatrical figures:

• Shim Woo-sung and his one-man puppet theatre
• Oh T’ae-sok’s "possessed" anit-realist plays
• Sohn Jinch’aek’s issue based ‘ethnic drama’
• Lee Yun-t’aek and his ‘Culture Guerilla’ company.