Sohn Jin-chaek

Sohn Jin-chaek

Born 1947. Sohn Jin-chaek is known in Korea and abroad as a director who brings traditional Korean performing arts methods into contemporary theater works in effective ways. After majoring in theater arts at Sorabol College, he participated in the founding of the theater company Minye and made his directing debut with the company in 1984 with the production Seoul Maltugi . In 1982 he studied for one year at the Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK. In 1986, Sohn started his own theater company Michoo, for which he has directed numerous works since, while also managing the Michoo Studio, the Michoo Actors School and the Michoo Orchestra. Since 1981 he has also organized the annual Madang-Nori festival presenting a variety of traditional Korean performing arts. In its 30th holding this year, this festival draws more than 200,000 visitors annually and has become one of the popular events of the Korean New Year’s season. Sohn has also played a prominent role in national events, including serving as chief director of the Han River Festival of arts and culture accompanying the 1988 Seoul Olympics and directed the opening ceremony for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. N addition to his theater directing, Sohn has also played a leading role as a festival director and artistic director for a number of performing arts festivals. Currently he is artistic director of the National Theater Company of Korea.