The Chongdong Theater wasopened in 1995 as an annex to the National Theater of Korea. Come to watchperformances of traditional genres of Korean theater, such as pansori, a typeof singing.
Chongdong’s flagship showis Miso (meaning “smile”), which has been performed here since 1997. Miso is afamily-friendly love story that incorporates vibrant Korean costume, music anddancing. Hear a traditional percussion quartet and witness a fan dance calledbuchaechum. Miso is widely hailed as one of Seoul’s top visitor attractions.Entertainment is fused with education to produce a show that provides insightinto Korea’s cultural heritage.
There is little dialoguein the production, and any Korean words are translated into English and otherlanguages. At the end of the show, performers come out to mingle with theaudience. Have your camera ready to snap photos with the cast.
A gift shop sells mementosof the show and other Korean culture-related souvenirs. If you want to eatbefore the show, consider the theater’s restaurant, where dishes of pasta,steak and risotto are served throughout the day.
In the mild spring andfall weather, lunchtime performances are held at the Ssamji Madang, ChongdongTheater’s outdoor courtyard. Shows are free, and there’s no need to book. Thatsaid, it’s recommended you arrive early to secure a good position.
Chongdong Theater is openTuesday through Sunday. Get there by subway to Seodaemun, Gwanghwamun or CityHall. The box office opens one hour before the performance starts, but arriveearly to secure tickets. Miso lasts for about 70 minutes, and there is usuallya matinee and an evening performance.
