In May 1980, the people of Gwangju were all united as one family. Each community cooked rice to make rice balls and kimchi and shared them while taking care of each other. May 1980 is when everyone became a family, embracing pain and wounds together. Geumnam Restaurant aims to promote such a spirit of sharing and community in May 1980, created through rice balls. This play, set against the backdrop of a cooking competition, combines lively songs, dances, and performances to create exciting and dynamic moments. Moreover, the story of the pain embodied in the rice balls of May, the central theme of the piece, unfolds as a play within a play, offering the audience both laughter and tears.

Founded in November 1983, Theater Company Tobaki is a professional theater troupe based in Gwangju that primarily stages creative productions. Engaging with the lives of neighbors and recreating their genuine laughter and tears through theater, Tobaki strives for the progress of humanity, society, and history.

“Food Stall in October” is a musical theater that unfolds through songs loved by the public but banned by the state and the food enjoyed by ordinary people on the street. Through stories of banned songs and local foods, the character Kim Young-gam attempts to elicit empathy across generations by sharing stories of people’s lives and narratives. From Busan’s ordinary food, such as grilled mackerel and sea eel, to Gwangju’s “deep-fried lettuce” and rice balls at Yangdong Market, it narrates the era of the Busan–Masan Uprising to the May 18th Democratic Uprising in Gwangju.
[List of banned songs] Mr. Kim (1966, Hwang Woo-ru), The Beauty (1974, Shin Joong-hyun), It’s a Lie (1970, Shin Joong-hyun), Why Do You Call Me? (1975, Song Chang-sik), Beautiful River and Mountains (1972, Shin Joong-hyun & The Men), To the Land of Happiness (1974, Han Dae-soo), Give Me Some Water (1974, Han Dae-soo), Morning Dew (1971, Kim Min-ki), Spring Flower (2022, Hwang Tae-hyun)

Project: Spring Flower is a team that approaches historical and social issues in Korea from various perspectives through musical theater composed of music and stories.

This work is a testament to the brave and poignant struggles and love of the common people who commemorate the Donghak Peasant Revolution. Created by Kim Yong-ok (original work, script) and composer Park Bum-hoon, it is a masterpiece that captures the intense love and fight against injustice by those who risked their lives. This profound piece allows the audience to reflect on a torch-lit history and experience a profound sense of resonance.

Since its establishment in 1993, the Jeongeup Municipal Korea Music Orchestra has conducted over 1,000 performances, contributing to the popularization of Korean traditional music. It serves as a cultural ambassador, showcasing the excellence of Korean culture to the world through nationwide tours and international performances, with works based on the precious cultural heritage of Jeongeup, recognized as national treasures.

Through the story of a person who survived the storm of Jeju Uprising and the one who returned home after leaving Jeju to avoid the storm, the play aims to get closer to the essence of Jeju Uprising.
Tae-sam, Ok-hee, and Chun-sam, who grew up together in Hagui-ri, Aewol-myeon in Jeju, were building up a friendship, calling themselves a trio. However, because of arrest warrants issued after the commemorative rally for the 28th anniversary of March 1st Movement and the fervor against the May 10th Election, Tae-sam and Chun-sam chose to hide, while Ok-hee became a liaison. However, Tae-sam, whose life should be filled with dreams and hopes, tragically died during the battle at Uigwi Elementary School, leading to a separation between the three. As time passes, facing impending death, Chun-sam finally encounters the grave of his dearly missed friend, Tae-sam.

To promote authentic national and folk culture and a creative and healthy Jeju culture through performing arts, Noripae Hanrasan was founded in 1987. The troupe strives to play a role in resolving both individual and societal grievances by paying attention to the voices of the vivid and sincere from the field of life. As an open place for all who cherish the culture of life, it aims to be a stage for the community where people’s narratives and plays unfold in unique and vibrant movements of Korean culture.