Structural Existentialist abstract artist Kim Young was deeply moved by the play ‘The Misunderstanding’ (directed by Choi Won-seok), praising it as a work that confronts the imperfections of human existence and the failure of communication.
Based on Albert Camus’ masterpiece, ‘The Misunderstanding’ explores absurdity and existential questions. In a desperate attempt to escape poverty, characters kill a guest to steal their assets, only to discover the victim is a family member who had left them years ago.
The play is a whirlwind of fear, desperation, and internal fractures that the characters struggle to handle.
After watching the performance at Huam Stage in Daehakro, Kim Young noted, “It is not just a simple family tragedy, but a work that persistently reveals the imperfection of human existence and the failure of communication.”
Kim added, “The characters on stage look at one another, yet they never truly understand. That silence and misalignment leave the audience with a deep sense of anxiety and tension.” He further commented that the tragedy stemming from “not speaking” felt incredibly realistic as it mirrors human relationships in modern society.
Kim also applauded the dark atmosphere dominating the piece and the high-intensity emotional performances of the actors.
He interpreted the work by saying, “The characters long for love and salvation, but ultimately destroy each other amidst desire and deficiency.” He described the process as both desperate and philosophical, noting that the protagonist’s tragic fate shows how easily humans can become isolated and crumble under misunderstanding.
Kim expressed a strong impression of the cast, particularly actor Lee Ju-hwa in the role of Saet-byeol.
“The actor’s passionate performance, the rhythmic dialogue, and everything about this work were wonderful,” Kim stated, praising the hard work of the entire cast.
For her role as Saet-byeol, actor Lee Ju-hwa challenged herself with a no-makeup look, boldly choosing to express the character’s anxiety and internal cracks through her physical performance rather than makeup or adornments.
Jung Jung-heon, Chairman of the Korea Living Theater Association, also praised the character of Saet-byeol, calling her “the eye of the storm” in the thriller-like tension of ‘The Misunderstanding.’ He lauded Lee Ju-hwa for portraying the destructive character as “strong on the outside but soft on the inside,” noting that while she is capable of murder to achieve her goals, her inner fragility makes her downfall more heartbreaking and evokes pity.
‘The Misunderstanding,’ which forces the audience to face the raw side of humanity, will run at Huam Stage in Daehakro until May 31.
Meanwhile, Kim Young is a renowned Structural Existentialist abstract artist known for deconstructing and reconstructing the structure of human existence. Recently, he has been expanding his artistic range through structural painting using porcelain tiles and terracotta.
He is set to be invited to the international contemporary art fair ‘Art3f 2026’ in Monaco this September, where he will showcase his world of art that interprets human emotions and existential structures through fragmented shapes and colors.
Ultimately, it was the “cracks of human existence” that artist Kim Young discovered within the play ‘The Misunderstanding.’
