Program

Opera-Theatre

Architect of the Shore is a signature production commissioned as part of the Gangneung Tourism Branding Project—an initiative to promote cultural tourism by cultivating the city’s unique artistic identity.
Written and directed by Artistic Director JuA Lee, the work seamlessly merges operatic and theatrical elements to deliver a deeply imaginative and intellectually resonant experience.
At its core is a powerful ensemble of distinguished Korean opera singers, actors, traditional musicians, and dancers. Under the musical direction and baton of composer-conductor Sukjin Chang, more than 90 performers—including members of the Gangneung Symphony Orchestra and Gangneung Chorus—join forces on stage.
By boldly reinterpreting local narratives through an original artistic lens, this production not only enhances Gangneung’s cultural presence but also redefines its role in the national performing arts scene as a landmark regional brand performance.

Set in an undefined future, Architect of the Shore follows the enigmatic journey of a man who builds a pillar each day—only to watch it vanish without a trace. Undeterred by this endless cycle, he continues his solitary task with unwavering resolve. One day, he encounters a moment when time and space begin to distort, pulling him into a realm where the past and future collapse into one.
As he traverses this disjointed world, he unearths forgotten memories and glimpses of what is yet to come. In doing so, he is compelled to reconsider the meaning of building—not merely as a physical act, but as a profound metaphor for creation, purpose, and continuity.
Infused with themes of existential longing and the enduring hope for a new dawn, this work invites audiences into a reimagined vision of Gangneung through a unique opera-theater form that transcends traditional boundaries.