‘Gwito’, the changgeuk hit that filled 99% of its seats, returns with a new cast
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea revives ‘Gwito: Tokki-ui Pallan’, its 2021 hit that played to 99% occupancy, at the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Grand Theater from 3 to 6 September 2026. Every principal role has been recast, and a new rear LED wall enlarges the stage.
PUBLICAi Editorial
At a glance
- Performances
- 국립창극단, 귀토: 토끼의 팔란 [서울]
- Period
- Sep 3 – 6, 2026
- Venue
- 국립극장
Contents11
- In brief
- The details at a glance
- Seating tiers
- A four-year gap, and an entirely new cast
- Frequently asked questions
- When and where is the Seoul run of ‘Gwito’?
- How much are tickets?
- What is the minimum age, and how long is it?
- What is ‘Gwito’ about?
- What has changed since the premiere?
- Can I see it outside Seoul?
In brief
- ‘Gwito’, the National Changgeuk Company's signature hit, which played to 99% occupancy at its 2021 premiere, returns after four years.
- The Seoul run is 3–6 September at the National Theater of Korea's Haeoreum Grand Theater, with new performers in the lead roles of Toja, Jara and Tonyeo.
- A new 14m×3m rear LED wall has been added to the existing 8m×8m floor LED, giving the staging more depth.
The details at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Production | National Changgeuk Company of Korea, ‘Gwito: Tokki-ui Pallan’ |
| Dates | 3–6 September 2026 · Thu–Fri 19:30, Sat–Sun 15:00 |
| Venue | Haeoreum Grand Theater, National Theater of Korea (Jung-gu, Seoul) |
| Running time | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Age | 7 and over |
| Booking | National Theater of Korea website or phone (ticket agents registered with KOPIS: National Theater of Korea, NOL Universe, Nanum Ticket) |
| Presented by | National Theater of Korea, National Changgeuk Company of Korea |
| Creative team | Ko Sun-woong (writer and director), Han Seung-seok (co-composer of the changgeuk score, composer, music director) |
| Touring | Hwaseong Arts Center Dongtan Art Hall (21–22 August), Sejong Arts Center Grand Theater (18–19 September) |
Seating tiers
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| VIP | KRW 80,000 |
| R | KRW 60,000 |
| S | KRW 40,000 |
| A | KRW 20,000 |
The running time, age limit and prices match the record registered with KOPIS, Korea's official performing-arts registry. Session times and venue details are also on this performance's page.
A four-year gap, and an entirely new cast
The National Changgeuk Company of Korea, a resident company of the National Theater of Korea, brings back its signature repertoire piece ‘Gwito: Tokki-ui Pallan’ after four years. The Seoul run plays from Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September at the Haeoreum Grand Theater, reuniting the pairing behind ‘Byeongangsoe, Jeom Jjik-go Ongnyeo’ — Ko Sun-woong, who wrote and directs, and Han Seung-seok, who shares the changgeuk composition credit and serves as composer and music director.
‘Gwito’ is a spin-off that begins where ‘Sugungga’ — one of the five surviving pansori works — ends. Its protagonist is Toja, son of the rabbit who was tricked into the undersea palace by the terrapin Jara and talked his way out again. Moving between land and the undersea kingdom, Toja comes to understand that a place to live is not some distant paradise but the here and now. At its 2021 premiere in the same theater the production played to 99% occupancy, and a 2022 revival at Goyang Aram Nuri drew further praise from audiences and critics alike.
Every principal role has been recast for this run. Kim Su-in plays Toja; Choi Yong-seok plays Jara, who leads him to the undersea palace; and Kim Woo-jung plays Toja's companion Tonyeo. Supporting roles are new too, with Woo Ji-yong as the Dragon King and Park Sung-woo as the octopus Jukkumi. The set has grown as well: around a sloped hill built from some 1,500 lengths of timber, a newly added 14m×3m rear LED wall joins the existing 8m×8m floor LED to render the passage between mountain and sea in more dimensions.
The company had already staged ‘Gwito’ at Hwaseong Arts Center's Dongtan Art Hall on 21–22 August as part of the National Theater's touring programme, and follows the Seoul run with performances at the Sejong Arts Center Grand Theater on 18–19 September.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Seoul run of ‘Gwito’?
From Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September 2026 at the Haeoreum Grand Theater of the National Theater of Korea, in Jung-gu, Seoul. Thursday and Friday performances start at 7:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
How much are tickets?
KRW 80,000 for VIP, KRW 60,000 for R, KRW 40,000 for S and KRW 20,000 for A. Booking and enquiries go through the National Theater of Korea's website or phone line; KOPIS additionally lists NOL Universe and Nanum Ticket as registered agents.
What is the minimum age, and how long is it?
Open to ages 7 and over, with a running time of 2 hours 30 minutes.
What is ‘Gwito’ about?
It is a changgeuk spin-off that starts where the pansori work ‘Sugungga’ ends. Toja, son of the rabbit who escaped the undersea palace, travels between land and sea and, through the hardships he meets, comes to see that a place to live is not a distant paradise but the here and now.
What has changed since the premiere?
All the principal roles — Toja, Jara and Tonyeo among them — are played by new performers. The staging has grown too: a 14m×3m rear LED wall has been added to the existing 8m×8m floor LED, giving the movement between mountain and undersea kingdom more depth.
Can I see it outside Seoul?
It played at Hwaseong Arts Center's Dongtan Art Hall on 21–22 August under the National Theater's touring programme, and returns on 18–19 September at the Sejong Arts Center Grand Theater.
