Jo Youngsook, a living witness to traditional Korean art, dedicated her life to women’s gukgeuk as a first-generation actress for over 70 years. In an interview with Ilgan Sports in Dongseon-dong, Seongbuk-gu, she reflected on her artistic journey.
Jo Youngsook recalled the heyday of women’s gukgeuk in the 1950s and 60s, reminiscing about her first stage role as ‘Soldier 2’. Although her lines consisted of only two phrases, she cherishes that moment dearly. She explained the differences between the drama “Jung Nyeon” and the actual stage, emphasizing how special women’s gukgeuk is. In dramas, roles are assigned through elaborate visuals and tests, but in women’s gukgeuk, roles are determined by natural talent. She also mentioned that women’s gukgeuk captivated the audience with its soft and emotional sound, different from pansori.
Starting with the role of Bangja on the stage of Busan Theater in 1954, Jo Youngsook performed the same role for 50 years, earning recognition as a master of Bangja acting. She expressed her affection for the character she created, feeling that her acting and voice deepened over time.
Recently, she took on a new challenge by performing in “Jo Goblin Youngsook,” a modern reinterpretation of the gukgeuk “Princess Seonhwa.” In this performance, she assumed the role of Princess Seonhwa for the first time, presenting a fresh image to the audience. Despite feeling embarrassed about playing a princess at the age of 90, she strived to fulfill her responsibility as an actress. She conveyed her desire to offer the best experience to the audience on stage.
Jo Youngsook reminisced about the days when women’s gukgeuk toured nationwide, expressing regret over the reduction of performances due to the advent of screens. However, she continued her activities with a sense of mission to preserve this art form. She expressed gratitude for the renewed interest in women’s gukgeuk through the drama “Jung Nyeon.”
For her, gukgeuk is a part of life and as precious as her only son. Seeing her fellow performers gradually leave, her determination to protect women’s gukgeuk has grown stronger. Her passion and dedication will continue to inspire many. We look forward to Jo Youngsook’s future endeavors and the revival of women’s gukgeuk.
