Transgender performer's 50 years on nightclub stages come to life in play
Korean society in the 1970s and 1980s was rife with violence and control masked as institutions and social order. At 16, the world saw her as a boy, but she already knew who she was. At a time when even the term “transgender” did not exist in common parlance, she performed on nightclub stages, singing and dancing in heavy makeup. She even underwent a risky, illicit gender-affirming surgery under…
The Seoul Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) will present a one-person play depicting the life of 69-year-old transgender performer Saek-ja, who spent five decades performing on nightclub stages. Korean society during the 1970s and 1980s was marked by violence and perceived control, despite the existence of institutions and social order.
At the age of 16, Saek-ja knew her true identity despite society's expectations of her as a boy. In an era when the term "transgender" was not commonly recognized, she took to performing in clubs, adorning herself with heavy makeup and captivating audiences with her singing and dancing. Saek-ja's life was undoubtedly a continuous struggle against discrimination and anger, as difficult to comprehend in today's world.
Despite the pervasive violence and suffering of the time, she maintained unwavering faith in her decisions. The play's title, "You Can't Make a Life Out of Not Getting Slapped in the Face," encapsulates the challenges and resilience of Saek-ja's extraordinary journey. First unveiled at the Feminism Theater Festival in 2022, this poignant portrayal of Saek-ja's fearless life will be brought to life at the Arko Arts Theater in Seoul's Jongno District on October 15 and 16.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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