National Opera Company Director Park Hye-jin: 'I am a prepared director' amid safety accident controversy

Park Hye-jin, the newly appointed director and artistic director of the National Opera Company, outlined her vision on May 28, aiming to explore opera's potential by connecting it with audiences, regions, and the world. She expressed a desire to create operas that resonate within people's lives. "We will explore opera's expansion potential by connecting works, audiences, regions, and the world, and create opera that breathes within the audience's lives," Park stated at a press conference held at the Seoul Arts Center. Her plans include revitalizing opera through collaborations with cultural institutions like the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and developing Korean-style opera buffa, or comic popular opera. Park also addressed controversies surrounding a safety accident during her tenure as director of the Seoul Metropolitan Opera. "The police investigation resulted in no charges. I am in a very unfair position," she asserted, emphasizing her readiness for the role. "I am a prepared director for the National Opera Company." Her core value for her term is "expansion through connection." Park intends to make opera a culture enjoyed by everyone, not just a select few, by expanding children's and family opera programs. She also aims to extend the Korean Wave, currently driven by K-pop and dramas, into the classical and opera fields. This includes developing original operas with Korean emotions and stories for global competitiveness and supporting overseas performances.

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We will explore opera's expansion potential by connecting works, audiences, regions, and the world, and create opera that breathes within the audience's lives.