Oh Taeseok

Life

Oh Taesok was born on October 11, 1940, in Seocheon Chungcheongnam-do. Oh was ten years old when the Korean War began and his childhood became difficult. His father, a Korean politician, was kidnapped and Oh, with his grandmother, became a refugee on a road full of refugees where he witnessed countless deaths. Oh received a degree in Philosophy from Yonsei University in 1963 and immediately threw himself into writing and directing.

Work

Oh Taeseok is known as a theater director and playwright who is extremely adept at portraying Korean life and state of mind. Oh’s plays have many elements in common with traditional Korean plays. On stage, the characters of his plays do not carry on static, realistic conversations, but rather engage in vibrant song and dance or wear animal masks while dashing about on stage; exaggerated movements and make-up are also frequently used. Despite the loud, raucous atmosphere on stage, Oh’s work depicts the darkness of pain and the shadows of death. The story behind this lies in his childhood memories.

Oh made his formal literary debut with his play Wedding Dress (Wedingdeureseu), which was recognized at the 1967 New Years Literary Arts Competition sponsored by the Chosun Ilbo and Change of Season (Hwanjeolgi), which won a prize in a 1968 open playwriting competition co-sponsored by the National Theater and the Kyunghyang Daily News. In 1968 and 1969 his plays Change of Season (Hwanjeolgi), Judas, Before the Rooster Crows (Yudayeo dalgi ulgi jeone), Outing (Gyohaeng), and Self Righting Doll on Roller Skates (Lollaseukeiteureul taneun ottugi) were performed in several avant-garde theaters. He next took up residence with the Dongnang Repertory Company (Dongnang lepeoteori geukdan), where he directed Lubeu, and continues to direct and write today.

Works in Translation

Works in Korean (Partial)

Plays

Collections

Awards