Korean tale shows culture

The University of South Dakota’s production of “The Mirror Princess” not only brings a South Korean fairy tale to the stage, but displays the physical strength and vocal talent of the Theatre Department.

“The Mirror Princess” is a traditional South Korean fairy tale about a young peasant girl who dreams of becoming a princess. This peasant girl works for a princess and longs to have that kind of life, so she decides to steal certain items from the princess to become more like her, specifically, a mirror. She escapes with the mirror to the woods where she learns various important lessons.

This is a special play for student director Jaehoon Kim, since he is from South Korea. He said he is excited for the audience to see the production.

“It will be interesting to see how people of different cultures will understand the story,” he said.

Kim also said he hopes the audience interacts with the production.

“The theatre is separated as stage and audience,” he said. “I want to break the wall of stage and audience and have everyone be involved.”

Chair of the Theatre Department, Eric Hagen Hagen, said he is also excited about bringing a new culture to the audience.

What sets this play apart is its lack of actual scenery. The simple scene structure will be unchanged throughout the production.
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“The ensemble, or stage changers, is a group of performers creating scenes, with their bodies being used to make shapes to create the environment or the setting,” Hagen, said.

But this isn’t just a play. It is a musical — or as Kim, a second-year grad student called it, an “unplugged musical,” because all the performers will be singing a cappella.

The actors have been training their voices and their bodies since January in preparation for the shows.

Nathanial Vogel, a sophomore and lead stage changer, said the physical demands were the most difficult.

“Sometimes you have to hold a position for a long time and you are singing a lot of the time too,” he said.

Hagen said he is glad to see culture at USD.

“Since this play is representative of literature of another culture, specifically South Korea, the audience will be surprised and really enjoy the experience,” Hagen said.

Kim summed up his hopes for the production by saying he wanted it to be “harmony of theatrical and imagination.”

Performances are in the Arena Theater March 20 – 23 at 7:30 p.m., with an afternoon showing at 2 p.m. March 24. Ticket information is available at

usd.edu/theatre.