South Korean drama has received considerable attention in Europe and Asia, but, until recently, received only scant attention in the United States. This anthology contains early works (1989-1993) by one of Korea's leading theatre artists. These works reflect the nature of Lee Yun Taek's genius, his contributions to contemporary Korean theatre and the socio-political climate in South Korea during the release of his early works. They are indeed "brief chronicles of their time." The plays, Citizen K; O-Gu: A Ceremony of Death; Mask of Fire: Ceremony of Power; and The Dummy Bride: A Ceremony of...

Carefully selected and represented, the plays in this collection showcase both the fantastic and the realistic innovations of Korean dramatists during a time of rapid social and historical change. Stretching from 1962 to 2004, these seven works tackle major subjects, such as the close of the Choson dynasty and the aftermath of the Korean War, while delving into trenchant cultural issues, such as the marginalization of students who rebel against mainstream education and the role of traditional values in a materialistic society.

Longtime scholar of Korea and its vibrant, politically acute...