Inching Towards Yeolha

When 18th-century Korean philosopher Yeon-Ahm first wrote The Diary of Yeolha, which this play is based upon, he was driven by a desire for change and innovation to modernize his contemporary Joseon dynasty. Frustrated by Joseon’s closed attitude toward foreign culture and inventions, he marveled at the new ideas and advancements he encountered during his travels to Qing China. Yeon-Ahm believed that embracing change—not just in how we live, but in how we think—was essential for progress. 

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In the past few years, we too have faced profound shifts that have challenged long standing social and cultural norms. The collective experience of the global pandemic reshaped our way of life, imposing new social standards. The ever-changing political landscape has left many feeling as though the world has turned upside down, which feels familiar yet unfamiliar and even surreal. In many ways, our present moment feels chaotic, as if history is echoing some of its most troubling patterns. 

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In Inching Towards Yeolha, you will witness how the villagers of Yeolha respond to the absurd disruptions brought by outsiders seeking to stir chaos—only to find themselves instinctively and immediately restoring balance in their own way. This play invites us to reflect on our own attitudes toward change, both in the world of the play and in the one we live in today. As you leave the theater, I hope you question what, if any, has changed. And I hope you recognize the frustration and hope in the infinite possibilities that emerge from uncertainty. 

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By experiencing how the villagers of Yeolha confront upheaval, may we find the courage to meet our own moments of crisis with composure and compassion. And rather than resist the chaos, may we stay within it just long enough to see the opportunities it holds—to dream and shape a better world for tomorrow. 

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-Ji Won Jeon​