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양반전
The Tale of a Korean Aristocrat (양반전) is a Korean original musical based on Park Jiwon’s satirical novel, exposing the hypocrisy of the yangban class through the story of a commoner who purchases aristocratic status only to reject it. The work combines traditional Korean performance elements with musical theatre to critique social hierarchy.
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SOURCE
novel
SETTING
Korea
BOOK
adaptation
Productions in Korea
1986.08 🔴 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul)
1991.07 🔴 Sejong Center for the Performing Arts (Seoul)
🔴 = Seoul Large Theatre Production
SYNOPSIS
(Partial Synopsis)
Set in the late Joseon period, the musical unfolds in a rigidly stratified society, where a wealthy commoner purchases aristocratic status, only to confront the corruption and emptiness of the yangban class.
A rich commoner, eager to elevate his social standing, buys the title of yangban from a poor aristocrat. However, as he begins to live within the aristocratic system, he encounters its contradictions—idleness, hypocrisy, and moral decay. Disillusioned by what he sees, he ultimately rejects the status he once desired.
Through satire and humor, the story exposes the hollow prestige of inherited class and emphasizes the value of sincerity and human dignity beyond social hierarchy.
PRODUCTION NOTE
The musical was created by the Seoul Metropolitan Dance & Music Company and premiered in 1986 as part of the Asian Games cultural festival. Written and directed by Park Man-gyu with music by Kim Hee-jo and Jang Ik-hwan, it represents an early large-scale Korean original musical integrating traditional Korean performing arts such as mask dance, pansori, and folk music into a modern musical format.
The production became a representative repertoire work of the company and was later adapted for international touring, including a reduced-scale version for overseas performances.
REFERENCES
Synopsis Sources
JoongAng Ilbo Article – Musical Yangbanjeon Announcement
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/2064521
Musicals of Korea Archive – Yangbanjeon
https://www.musicalsofkorea.com/k-musicals-in-the-west2/1987_yangbanjeon
Articles & Reviews
JoongAng Ilbo – Yangbanjeon U.S. Tour
https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/2099721
Hankyung – Park Man-gyu Interview
https://www.hankyung.com/article/1996022500021
Related Pages (Musicals of Korea)
The Tale of a Korean Aristocrat (Abroad Page)
https://www.musicalsofkorea.com/k-musicals-in-the-west2/1987_yangbanjeon
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