To Be Liberated

‘해방을 찾아서’는 가슴을 울리는 서사와 섬세한 연출이 인상 깊었어요. 인물 하나하나의 감정선이 살아 있어 몰입도가 높았고, 역사적 아픔을 진정성 있게 그려내 깊은 여운을 남깁니다. 오래 기억에 남을 것 같아요.... full review

I started the play with a lot of curiosity of how they are going to portray the word “liberation” but to my pleasure, in a very short 30-40 minutes, the play described a very deep and meaningful message, and the message is still with me today. I don’t think the play is just about the past, but the connection they made with living today. The word “Shinto shrine worship” exists in our lives in different ways, so the freedom that we naturally enjoy today is not as light as the content of the play. Not to mention the concentration and form of the two actors, the breathtaking directing of Gayageum and Jang-gu was beyond imagination. I think that every Korean and non Korean should see this play at least once. ... full review

Soo Chyun is a poet. “To Be Liberated” is so beautifully written, its prose so spare, every word counts. She packs a lot of history, action, and depth into this short story. Chyun is also a brilliant art director, too. The play is spoken in Korean, and the supertitles, with their handsome font, work to excellent effect. The set is simple, and like the rest of the show, boiled down to its essence: a bench on and around which the two main characters interact. I won’t say anything more about the powerful, heart-wrenching story, with a twist at the end I just wasn’t expecting and which wrecked me.... full review

After a long drive, I arrived at the theater— not knowing that what awaited me would transcend the boundaries of conventional drama. The moment the lights rose, it was clear: this was not merely a performance, but a resurrection of an era’s pain and faith, brought to life through breath itself. Every breath, every tremble at the fingertips of the actors carried with it a finely tuned emotional resonance. Thump. Thump. As the rhythm echoed like a heartbeat, the audience didn’t just witness the story—they physically felt it. That vibration, that communion between stage and seat, turned the play into something more: a collective prayer. By the time the curtain fell, the theater was filled not with words, but with silence, tears... full review

For a 30 minute preview of what is constructed to be a larger piece, the HFF presentation of To Be Liberated is an extremely promising start for things to come.... full review

Was so great mixed with Korean independent and religions together. So impressed those are created so naturally. Also glad to enjoying traditional Korean instruments together. ... full review

My heart was still pounding after the show, it had a powerful message as well as a powerful performance. I think it gave an audience lot to think about “to be liberated” in each aspects. Loved the show!... full review

As a 30-minute preview, To Be Liberated is a moving and culturally rich start. With powerful acting, a focused story, and the evocative use of gayageum music, it shows great promise for development into a full-length piece.... full review

An incredibly moving and richly layered production. The live traditional instruments brought a visceral energy to the stage, making the experience feel both immediate and deeply resonant. The performances were fearless both actresses brought emotional honesty and real intensity to their roles, fully embracing the heart of the text. What stood out most was how the play balanced storytelling with cultural history, offering both personal connection and broader perspective. It’s not just a play it’s an experience that stays with you. Absolutely worth seeing.... full review

Absolutely beautiful, I deeply appreciate the richness of this play in every aspect. Having traditional instruments played live on stage truly transcended the experience and made it feel incredibly powerful. Both actresses were outstanding and embraced the text with courage and deep passion. I appreciate this that this play provides not just engaging stories, but enriching cultural context and history. This is a must-see play!... full review