KJCKorea
Journal Central

This study examines Cha Beom-seok’s plays <The Flock of Seagulls> (1963) and <A Waltz for Three> (1975), focusing on the playwright’s perception of reality and the distinctive features of his dramaturgy as reflected through the modes of melodrama and epic theatre. To this end, the research first outlines the stylistic characteristics of these two modes as commonly agreed upon by scholars, and then compares Cha’s views on realism. It further evaluates how these stylistic traits are specifically adopted in his works and considers their meaning and value. The findings are as follows. First, Cha regarded his plays as a medium to convey the truth of life to readers and audiences. Second, he sought to communicate this theatrical vision to as many people as possible. Third, his adoption of melodramatic and epic techniques in the selected works should be understood in this context. However, these methods did not always yield consistent results. While they achieved a degree of success in attracting audiences, they ultimately revealed limitations in presenting possibilities of transformation or in fully conveying the deeper truths of reality and human existence that Cha aimed to express.

<The Flock of Seagulls>, <A Waltz for Three>, melodrama, multiple couples, epic drama, Critical Distancing