차범석 車凡錫
Playwright and director who helped establish realist theatre in Korea with works such as 'Sanbul' (Wildfire)
| Life | 1924 ~ 2006 |
| Era | 현대 |
| Clan | 연안 차씨 |
Life & career
Cha Beom-seok (1924-2006) was a Korean playwright and theatre director born in Mokpo, South Jeolla. After graduating from the English department of Yonhi College in 1948 he taught at Bukgyo Elementary School and Mokpo Middle School in Mokpo and Duksung Girls' High School. He debuted in 1955 when his play 'Miju' was runner-up in the Chosun Ilbo spring literary contest, and in 1956 his 'Gwihyang' won.
He served as chairman of the Korean Theatre Association and vice-president of the Korean Federation of Art and Cultural Organizations, taught as a full professor of theatre and film at Cheongju University, and led the troupe Sanha. Besides his best-known 'Sanbul' (Wildfire), his works include Bulmoji, Seongnan gigye, Goguma, Cheonggiwajip, Yeoldaeeo, Jangmiui seong, Icha-donui jugeum, Saeya saeya parangsaeya, Hwalhwasan, Haksareui sup and Saebyeok-gil, and he is regarded as having written more plays than any other Korean playwright.
He also played a major role as a director and is credited with helping establish realist theatre. His honors include the Mokpo Culture Prize (1962), Korean National Culture and Arts Prize (1970), the Playwriting Prize at the Korea Theatre Festival for 'Hagieo sarang-illae' (1981), the National Academy of Arts Award (1982), the Korea Literature Prize for 'Sikminjiui achim' (1991), the Lee Hae-rang Theatre Award (1993) and the Seoul Culture Prize (1997). The Cha Beom-seok Theatre Foundation and Cha Beom-seok Playwriting Prize honor him.
Debut and Major Works
After runner-up in 1955 he won with 'Gwihyang' in 1956 and entered the career of a playwright. 'Sanbul', his best-known work, is set in the Korean War period and has been staged many times. Depicting the twists of Korean society in a realist idiom is regarded as the hallmark of his work.
Work in the Theatre World
He served as chairman of the Korean Theatre Association and led the troupe Sanha, training younger artists, and also taught theatre and film as a professor at Cheongju University.
Memorial Projects
The Cha Beom-seok Theatre Foundation and the Cha Beom-seok Playwriting Prize carry his name, and related material is known to be held at the Mokpo Literature Museum.
Grave
His grave location was not confirmed here; his literature is honored at places such as the Mokpo Literature Museum.