An Enemy of the People: The Age of Lies

The jury's
conclusion

The jury is deeply impressed by a clear, consistent, and thoughtfully constructed proposal. A proposal that revitalizes Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People through a contemporary Korean lens. Moving from Ibsen’s original inquiry “why does the majority hate the truth?” the project reframes it to “how can an imperfect human being speak the truth?” The project connects the idea that “the majority is not always right” to modern history, particularly the state‑sanctioned oppression of Zainichi Koreans. Through the morally complex character Han Dohyun—moving from victim to perpetrator to escapee to whistleblower—the work explores how political systems inflict violence on individuals. Does a person burdened by guilt have the right to tell the truth? The questions raised are powerful and bold in their paradoxes. Can truth itself cause new harm? The jury recognizes a bold and forward‑looking artistic voice— one that dears to convey human paradoxes and dilemmas. A voice that combines sharp political insight with innovative formal expression, offering a fresh and relevant re‑interpretation of Ibsen for today. We are eager and excited to follow the development of this very strong and relevant work.

About the project

A Compelling Reimagining of Ibsen’s Classic Through Korea’s Modern History.
An Enemy of the People: The Age of Lies is a compelling Korean adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic, reimagined through one of the darkest chapters of modern Korean history, the fabricated espionage cases involving Zainichi Koreans. The production follows the protagonist, a Zainichi student tortured into a «confession» who returns years later to confront the truth they were forced to help construct. As the protagonist is branded an «enemy of the people» through this complex trajectory, moving from victim to perpetrator and finally to whistleblower, Ibsen’s 19th-century inquiry and Korea’s historical trauma illuminate one another.
More than a century ago, Ibsen noted that the majority is not always right, emphasizing the danger that the majority can often distort or ignore the truth. Following this insight, Studio Bahn utilizes a symbolic stage language to ask whether the «safe daily lives» we enjoy are the price of turning someone’s truth into «contaminated sentences,» and whether one can remain a «good citizen» while intentionally turning a blind eye to the truth. Through this innovative translation, the project develops An Enemy of the People as a living critical work exploring the intersection of individual trauma and the systemic production of lies.

Studio Bahn
Since its founding in 2007, Studio Bahn has consistently explored the complex relationship between state systems and individuals, and how modern institutions can dismantle the human interior. From the truths hidden behind the veil of history (Orient: The Gun and the Violin) and the weight of structural oppression (Concrete Rhapsody), to the history of comfort women (Petal), the company’s work has continually foregrounded human dignity within challenging societal frameworks.
With a distinguished track record of international collaboration, particularly through long-standing artistic exchanges between Korea and Japan, Studio Bahn focuses on the shared histories and marginalized voices of the East Asian diaspora. By connecting these specific local narratives with universal themes of justice, the company reaffirms its social responsibility and artistic leadership through the power of theatre as a witness to historical memory.

Representative & Director: Kangseon Lee
Lead Actress & Head of International Relations: Youngmi Kim
Producer: Bongsoo Park