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PAMS Choice

Introducing outstanding contemporary performing arts
from Korea to the global stage curated by PAMS.

  • Showcase
  • Multidisciplinary/Others
  • Pansori
Lee Jaram Pansori 'Snow, Snow, Snow' Wansung Playground
  • 10-15(Wed) 17:30 ~ 18:00
  • Daloreum Theater, National Theater of Korea
A vast snowfield, where a song of life unfolds overnight
  • #LeeJaram #SnowSnowSnow #Pansori
Introduction to the work

A vast snowfield, where a song of life unfolds overnight
The new work <Lee Jaram Pansori: Snow, Snow, Snow> is a pansori reinterpretation of Tolstoy’s short story <Master and Man>. This is Lee Jaram’s first new piece in five years since <The Old Man and the Sea> (2019), and it premiered in April 2025 as a co-production with LG Arts Center Seoul. Borrowing the traditional pansori style known as batangsori—which was first showcased in <The Old Man and the Sea>—the story unfolds through the drum, witty banter, and vocal narration alone. Describing her work as, “I create new pieces,” she says, “but in the end, I am practicing tradition.” Lee Jaram adds her own unique color while preserving the essence of pansori in this new piece. Through <Snow, Snow, Snow> Lee Jaram seeks not only to popularize pansori by reimagining the universal themes of humanity expressed by a world-renowned literary master, but also to invite audiences to engage deeply with the core values of performing arts: ‘empathy’ and ‘love for humanity.’ While maintaining the traditional characteristic of the “empty stage,” stage designer Yeo Shin-dong participates as the scenographer, enriching the narrative through the use of lighting. The production is directed by Park Ji-hye of Yangson Project, who previously served as dramaturg and director for <Stranger’s Song> and <The Old Man and the Sea>.

Wansung Playground

Wansung Playground is a creative performing arts group led by the artist and founder, Lee Jaram. Lee Jaram has established a unique position in the Korean performing arts scene as the creator and sorikkun (traditional pansori singer and storyteller) of pansori works such as <Sacheon-ga>, <Eokcheok-ga>, <Stranger’s Song>, and <The Old Man and the Sea>. These productions have received unprecedented acclaim from both audiences and critics, consistently selling out performances. She has grown into an artist who is highly acclaimed not only in Korea but also internationally. Her pansori works have been consecutively invited to diverse cultural regions such as France, Romania, Poland, the United States, Brazil, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where they have created a strong resonance with local audiences. Moreover, at the request of performing arts professionals, she has conducted multiple pansori workshops in France for students and professional actors.

<Key Artist Introduction>
* Lee Jaram (Writer/Composer/Singer):
Lee Jaram first encountered pansori at the age of 10 and was soon recognized for her talent by legendary masters—including Eun Hee-jin, Oh Jung-sook (former holders of National Intangible Cultural Heritage), Song Soon-seop (current holder of the Jeokbyeokga pansori), and Seong Woo-hyang (former holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage)—from whom she studied all five traditional pansori repertoires. While studying at Seoul National University’s Department of Korean Traditional Music, she began to contemplate how to express the stories she wanted to tell through traditional pansori. Finally, in 2007, she presented <Sacheon-ga> to the world, taking on multiple roles as composer, lyricist, and sole performer. Her captivating performance created a significant impact on the performing arts scene.
Following this, her pansori work Ukchuck-ga, which premiered at LG Arts Center, achieved unprecedented success with sold-out performances and standing ovations, solidifying her reputation as a leading young artist in Korean culture. Her innovative pansori adaptations based on Gabriel García Márquez’s short stories and Ernest Hemingway’s novel—Stranger’s Song and The Old Man and the Sea—further showcased her creative and performing talents. Lee Jaram also received critical acclaim for her portrayal of ‘Song-hwa’ in the musical Seopyeonje, earning Best Actress awards at both The Musical Awards and the Korean Musical Awards. Currently, she is actively engaged across a wide range of genres, including changgeuk (Korean traditional opera) and interdisciplinary productions, serving as a music director, composer, lyricist, writer, and performer.

* Park Jihye (Director / Dramaturge):
Director of Yangson Project
2015 Dong-A Theater Award for Best New Director
Major works: <Death and the Maiden>, <Endgame>, <Stranger’s Song>, <Factory Girl>, <Foxfinder>, <My Eyes Went Dark>, <Betrayal>, <The Old Man and the Sea>, <The Blue Bird> and many others.

Here is a table explaining the program details. It consists of direction, cast, composition, music director, showcase time, composition, tour personnel, original work, contact information, and development support.
Writer/Composer Lee Jaram Director/Dramaturge Park Jihye
Performers Lee Jaram, Lee Jun-Hyoung Duration(Full-length) 125 minutes (including 15-min intermission)
Tour Size 8 (2 performers, 6 staff members) Contact Choi Bo-Yun / bchoi12@gmail.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jjjjjjjjjjaamm/
Review
  • “That day, Lee Jaram truly seemed to transcend the human realm. It was impossible not to gasp in awe at the cry of the stallion Zety, reborn through her gestures and voice.”
    - JoongAng Daily (2025)

    "It was the ultimate storytelling, utilizing even the moments that stepped outside the narrative as part of the witty banter."
    - Cine21 (2025)

    “Just one singer and one drummer were enough to create a pansori more vivid and immersive than any other form of content — even IMAX, 3D, or virtual reality (VR).”
    - Kyunghyang Shinmun (2025)

group photo
ⓒLG Arts Center, Studio AL
ⓒLG Arts Center, Studio AL
ⓒLG Arts Center, Studio AL