The purpose of this study is not only to examine the modern directing system and aspect and the underlying driving force or the perception of directing, formed along with their operational and structural trends in 'particular historical realities' ...
The purpose of this study is not only to examine the modern directing system and aspect and the underlying driving force or the perception of directing, formed along with their operational and structural trends in 'particular historical realities' of colonial Chosun among the activities of Dongwoohoesunhoeyeongeukdan(1921.Spring-8.18), Towolhoe(1923-1931), and Geukyesulyeonguhoe(1931.7.8-1938.3)’ which revolve around the history of Shingeuk Movement, but also to figure out the current status and prospects for the directing history. Furthermore, it aims to read the various sides of their staging work and performances from a post-colonial critical point of view.
The research method seeks interdisciplinary research taking the perspectives and methodologies of theatre studies, anthropology of art, and folklore, and in particular, three methods were mainly used. First, by citing the 'the method(ology) of historical record criticism' as the basis of the study, this study focused on the restoration and reconstruction of the relationship of historical facts based on historical records such as press records, literature data, testimonies, and memoirs at the time. Second, the scholarly collection of folk(play) materials for the 'modernized staging of classics' and 'staging of original play' at the time, inquiry investigations, and historical investigation on the origin and form, and historical facts such as field visits were examined in the light of a folkloristic method(ology). Third, based on the post-colonial critical point of view, it argued by borrowing the basic concepts and terminology of anthropologists Franz Boas's 'historical particularism' and Julian Steward's 'cultural ecology'.
As a result of the research, the beginning for the systematic independence of Stage-Managers in the Shingeuk History in a large sense is traced back to ‘Troupe for New Theatre Yesungzoa(1916). In terms of the division of duties of Yesungzoa, artistic works were divided according to the director's function, and Yun, Baeknam became the first stage-manager in history. However, the independence of the directing field was some way off in that he was in charge of both playwriting and staging(Sung, Meungheyn(2021):16).
‘The Stage-manager Kim, Woojin’ from the ‘performance department(Geukyesulyeonguhoe)’ of Dongwoohoesunhoeyeongeukdan (hereinafter referred to as 'Yeongeukdan'), which was the prelude to the Shingeuk Movement in the early 1920s of Shingeuk history in a narrow sense, has ‘a utilitarian theatre view’ and ‘a view of stage-manager(director)-oriented interpretive directing’(Sung, Meungheyn(2018):348-351). However, the Yeongeukdan's practice relied on the assistance comparable to that of stage-manager of Shingeki actor Tomoda Kyosuke. He pursued a more natural and realistic acting style than conventional acting practices(Ohzasa Yoshio writing·Lee, Hyejeong translation(2006):69-71, Ohzasa Yoshio writing·Meung, Jinsuk·Lee, Hyejeong translation(2013):310, 288, 336). As a result, the transitional and hybrid 'early Shingeki' at the time in terms of acting, costumes, makeup, etc., namely 'modern Shingeki', which was strictly separated from the western modern theater, was imitated and transplanted(Sung, Meungheyn(2016-1):257, descriptions of ‘the Modern Shingeki’ in 254-258). Towolhoe-Bak, Seunghee, who led the first phase of the Shingeuk Movement in the 1920s, established the directing department and the literary arts department as independent ones from the initial stage, thereby laying an institutional foundation for the division of labor between playwrighting and directing, at least in a formal way(Sung, Meungheyn(2021):16). In addition, he opened ‘the era in which a stage manager directed, using the appellation ‘stage-manager’ at the Time of Chosun Theatre(1929.10-1930.2). The time of Towolhoe with the Shingeuk directing thought was a transitional period from a period in which an individual indicated each department of directing and production to a period of representation(「Chosun Theatre」advertising section of Chosunilbo:1929.11.7, 1929.11.4-1930.1.27, Noh, Seunghee(2005):89, Sung, Meungheyn(2017):235, 238, (2021):37).
The stage-manager(director) Bak, Seunghee pursued original play performances while rejecting Sinpageuk style from the early stage while seeking the modernization and acceptance of classics and traditions. In particular, his taste for musical play(Akgeuk) was prominent as his directing extended the genre spectrum from a modern form of 'popular ‘Provisional Shingeuk’ to a modern form of Shingeuk, ranging from romantic to realistic theatre(Sung, Meungheyn(2021):21). From the beginning of Towolhoe, he pursued a technique of reproducing and describing vividly the life and emotions of Chosun people based on an interpretative conception that is faithful to theatre in directing. During the period of Towolhoe, he built up a realistic acting-oriented practice system and method with his actors. In terms of stage management, addition, he made a turning point from a flat pictorial background stage to a three-dimensional one with the oriental painter Woojeon Won appointed for stage management. In addition, he did historical works on traditional theatre and folklore(play), thereby systematizing his own historicism staging method(Sung, Meungheyn(2019-2).
Towolhoe-Bak, Seunghee was criticized for his strange and poor directing and typical performances in both adaption and translation plays. On the other hand, in the case of original play and Akgeuk, he created the so-called 'Towolhoe-style modern drama' in the form of a 'significant period drama with the Chosun’s affective appraisals', depicting the life and sorrows of colonial Chosun. Among the evaluations of his directing, such criticisms as 'Bibimbap theatre script' and 'Edge path as a Shingeuk path' reflect the perception of directing that seeks Chosun-style Shingeuk(realism style), breaking away from the mixed hybridity(Sung, Meungheyn(2017):243-244, (2021):21, 27).
Geukyesulyeonguhoe(hereinafter referred to as ‘Geukyeon’), representing the second period of the Shingeuk Movement in the 1930s, started with the coterie system(1931.7.8-1932.12), which shares the responsibilities and obligations by all members, in its operational scheme and then switched to a membership system(1933.1-1938.3), the organization structure was changed over four times. The department in charge of directing and production, in particular, went through a revision process from the Business department(during the period of coterie system) to the Practice department(during the mid period of membership system), then changed back to the Directing department(during the late period of membership system). The purpose of such changes was to equip with a professional theater group system and to perform the Shingeuk. The organization structure of operation in Geukyeon was established with ‘General affairs bureau and its sub-departments including Directing department, Literary department, Stage Arts department, and Accounting department(1936.7-1936.6). Moreover, each department had several sections. Under such a structural system, the ‘Movie Department (1937.6-1938.3)’ was newly established as a special case in order to address the financial pressures(Sung, Meungheyn(2022):117-118).
Geukyeon introduced the ‘formation system of both stage-director and stage-management & -manager’ in the first demonstration of the coterie system period. This was a pioneering attempt that drives the division of labor in theater production together with securing the independence of directing. Afterward, the directing system of Geukyeon consisted of ‘stage-director, assistant stage-director, stage-manager & -management, stage-manager & -management assistant, and prompter’, and most of founding members and members typically took a path to debut as a stage-director after passing through stage-manager & -management or assistant stage-director. However, no boundary and authority of tasks have been established between stage-director and their assistants until the Geukyeon was dispersed. Accordingly, the division of their labors was not implemented and the assistants of a stage-director were just in a position to follow the instruction of a stage-director. In the case of stage production in Geukyeon, a division of labor system in which each individual takes responsibility in all domains such as devices, lighting, effects, costumes, and small and medium tools was established. In particular, as a result of efforts to recruit practical experts from outside in the device and lighting domains, a tendency of the ‘dedicated experts and skilled people’ was very prominent. It is, however, still questionable to what extent the collaboration system in each domain has been implemented and how much the effectiveness has been achieved(Sung, Meungheyn(2022):117-118).
Geukyeon pursued performance activities step by step with the aim of realism theatre, the goal of Shingeuk, that is to say 'staging an original play that reproduces and criticizes the life, thought, and emotions of Chosun people'. Standing stage-director Hong, Haesung and Yu, Chijin had a significant difference in their theater experience, math path, and exercise method during their stay in Tokyo. While working as an actor in the Shingeki Truope Tsukiji Shogekijo, Hong Haesung studied and learned the Shingeki style embodied in their own way. In contrast, Yu, Chijin experienced acting in strongly ideological theater troupes, with a realistic and participatory theatre view that theatre is a strong weapon that can express society and life(Noh, Seunghee(2005):116, 167-172, Sung, Meungheyn(2022):126, Yu, Chijin(1993):90, 92-94).
The two had different styles of directing. As a 'stage-director who used to be a Shingeki actor', Hong, Haesung mainly directed translation play during his Geukyeon years. He also directed without modification or change according to the plan of pre-established regie-book during his practice as a strict stage-director. In the acting practice with actors, he used a method of teaching the inner feelings of characters, the interrelationships between the characters, and even the details such as movements, lines, and emotions. However, his directing technique did not significantly deviate from the scope of the overall technical staging of theatre as an extension of the 'Tsukiji Style-oriented (Re-)Implanting Principle during the demonstration period(Sung, Meungheyn(2022-2), Noh, Seunghee(2005):116, 167-172). His Geukyeon years can be seen as the time when he provided the example of Tsukiji Shogekijo style that is the advancement of ‘stage-director’s theater’.
Yu, Chijin is a sort of ‘self-playwriter·stage director’ who is a contrast to Hong, Haesung. In handling and staging of the playwriting, including his own playwriting, he expanded his creative horizons by experimenting with new genres, from interpretive directing true to the playwriting to creative directing free from the playwriting. He also worked with the ‘Chosun Folklore Society’ and the ‘Chosun Puppet Theater Society’ and made a concerted effort to discover and modernize Chosun's classics and traditional performances(Yu, Chijin(1937.1.21):Chosunilbo, Sung, Meungheyn(2022):114. 131). In Geukyeon, Yu, Chijin showed promising capabilities in his excellent interpretation of theatre, creative planning, and creative staging, even though he was not yet skilled. This can be regarded as the current status and prospects for directing in theatre represented by the stage-director Yu, Chijin who led the full-fledged phase and final stage of Geukyeon.
Meanwhile, they had something in common in terms of directing skills, staging work system, and acting coach. In particular, acting practice was composed of script reading, movements and facial expressions, blocking practice, dress rehearsal, then stage rehearsal when theatre and its role are decided, as an extension of the practice process and the staging work method which the standing stage-director Hong, Haesung was based on(Hong, Haesung(1931.8.14-9.26):Dongahilbo, Kim, Goangseub(1932.5.14.):Chosunilbo, Shin, Kosong(1932.5.12.):Chosunilbo, Nah Ung(1932.5.11.):Chosugilbo Ko, Hyesan(1932.5.10.):Maeilshinbo). Hong, Haesung used the method of coaching every minute detail including lines, movements, and emotions of the characters at practice with the actors(Yu, Chijin(1937.3.19):Chosunilbo, Sung, Meungheyn(2022):146-147). Yu, Chijin also followed the detailed coaching from movement to the pitch of lines. The criticism that raised the question of guaranteeing the actor's creativity with respect to this directing method and attitude at the time indicates the aspect of the (directing) perception of acting(actor) as an autonomous creative work, as well as the critique of dictatorial directing(Yu, Chijin(1937.3.19):Chosunilbo, Jeon, Ilgeum(1936.4.25.):Chosunilbo, Sung, Meungheyn(2022):146-147).
As the final result of this study, the content of this study is composed of a total of 5 chapters: Introduction (Chapter 1), Body (Chapter 2, Chapter 3, and Chapter 4), and Conclusion (Chapter 5). Chapter 2 is a study on the performance activities and directing characteristics of the Shingeuk Movement of Dongwoohoesunhoeyeongeukdan. Chapter 3 focuses on performance activities and directing purposes, based on the results of consideration of organizational composition and change of Towolhoe. Chapter 4 is a study on the operating system, production system, and composition (members) of Geukyesulyeonguhoe, as well as performance activities and directing prospects. This table of contents and goals reflect the development and progress of the system, aspect, and perception of the Shingeuk directing history.
Also an investigation into the particularity of Shinguek Movement during the colonial Chosun, the ambivalence between the ideology and reality of Shingeuk from a post-colonial critical point of view(Sung, Meungheyn(2016-1):245, 266), the aspects (practice, production system, acting, lines, costumes, makeup, props, roles, etc.) where the colonial unconsciousness of the directors and producers is assimilated into, and the issue of post-truth will be attached in place.