Road Ensemble will premiere its concert drama, 'The Red Moon of Suseonggung: Unyeongjeon,' at the Prugio Art Hall on June 15, 2026. This production offers a contemporary reinterpretation of 'Unyeongjeon,' a tragic love story from Korea's Joseon Dynasty. Combining classical music, narration, and dramatic narrative, the performance promises a deeply moving experience. The concert drama explores universal themes of love, freedom, and destiny, shedding new light on the enduring value of classic literature through music.
Classic Novel 'Unyeongjeon' Reborn as a Concert Drama
Road Ensemble's concert drama, 'The Red Moon of Suseonggung: Unyeongjeon,' will be staged on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Prugio Art Hall. Co-hosted by Top Stage and Hyundai Culture Planning, and supported by the Korea Mecenat Association and the Arts Council Korea, with sponsorship from All Care and Prugio Art Hall, this performance reintroduces 'Unyeongjeon,' a quintessential love story from the Joseon Dynasty, as a contemporary concert drama.
'Unyeongjeon' is considered the first tragic novel in Korean classical literature, depicting the impossible and tragic love between Unyeong, a court lady, and Kim Jinsa, a scholar. This concert drama uses classical music to portray their poignant love and tragic fate, which unfolds within the confines of Suseonggung Palace. It aims to convey universal human stories of love, freedom, and destiny to the audience.
A Tragic Love Story Unfolds Through Classical Masterpieces
The performance is structured into six scenes, vividly portraying the love story of Unyeong and Kim Jinsa through music and narration. It begins with 'The Forgotten Palace, Suseonggung,' progresses through 'Eyes Beyond the Wall,' 'Confession of the Night – Love Letter,' 'Shadow of the Red Moon,' and 'The Last Night,' concluding with 'Legend of the Red Moon.' Audiences will be drawn into the emotional journey of the two protagonists.
To enrich the deep emotions and narrative of the characters in each scene, world-renowned classical masterpieces have been carefully integrated. These include Reinecke's Flute Concerto, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, Debussy's 'Clair de Lune,' Dvořák's Cello Concerto, Koussevitzky's Double Bass Concerto, and Sarasate's 'Zigeunerweisen.' Through this arrangement, music transcends being a mere backdrop, instead forming a crucial part of the story's progression.
An Immersive Stage Featuring Professional Musicians and Actors
This concert drama uniquely combines the beautiful performances of a chamber ensemble—featuring violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, clarinet, and piano—with moving narration by a professional actor. The intimate connection between music and story promises to offer audiences a novel sensory experience.
The ensemble includes violinist Park Jae-rin, violist Park Eun-joo, cellist Park Ki-heung, double bassist Park No-ik, flutist Seung Kyung-hoon, clarinetist Hong Sung-soo, and pianist Jang Ji-won, each delicately expressing the drama's emotions through their instruments. Kim Hee-jeong serves as music director, overseeing the entire musical arrangement, while actor Lee Da-jung, known for her work in musicals and plays, will deliver the narration, powerfully guiding the audience through the narrative.
Music Director Kim Hee-jeong stated, “The story of love, loss, and yearning for freedom embedded in the classic novel 'Unyeongjeon' still deeply resonates today. We planned this performance so that audiences can vividly feel and connect with Unyeong's life and emotions through the power of music and storytelling.”
