She took pansori to Avignon. France called her a 'rock star'

Lee Ja-ram brought her pansori performance “Snow, Snow, Snow” to the Avignon Festival in southern France, where she was hailed as a “rock star” by French media. The production, a reimagining of Leo Tolstoy’s short story “Master and Man,” became a standout highlight of the festival, drawing praise for its innovative blend of song, theater, mime, and stand-up comedy. The show, which premiered in April 2024 at LG Arts Center’s small black-box theater, was selected for the IN program at the 80th Avignon Festival, where it was performed four times at the Opera Grand Avignon. During the festival, Lee encountered unexpected recognition. At a souvenir shop, staff members identified her based on the title of the performance, “Neige, Neige, Neige,” which translates to “Snow, Snow, Snow” in French. One employee recounted how a friend had attended a technical rehearsal the day prior and insisted they “had to see it.” The experience left a lasting impression on Lee, who described the festival as a “dream world” where artists, art lovers, and behind-the-scenes workers filled nearly every corner of the city. The atmosphere was electric, and the energy of the audience was palpable. The performance itself was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Despite the sweltering heat of southern France, each showing of “Snow, Snow, Snow” ended with a standing ovation. The French press took notice, with Le Monde, a leading national newspaper, featuring the production on the front page of its special festival edition. The paper praised the work for its seamless integration of multiple artistic elements, noting how Lee effortlessly drew audiences into her world from the moment she stepped onto the stage. France Culture, the country’s public radio network, referred to Lee as “the rock star of the Avignon Festival,” a label that resonated with both critics and attendees alike. For a performer of pansori, the term “rock star” was an unusual and thrilling designation. In South Korea, pansori is often associated with specific visual markers, folded screens, straw mats, and the distinctive coiled hair of traditional performers. Lee acknowledged that these preconceived notions sometimes limited the perception of the art form. However, in France, where audiences had little to no familiarity with pansori, there was no such bias. Instead, viewers approached the performance with curiosity and wonder, discovering a new dimension of beauty within the genre. Lee Ja-ram has built a multifaceted career spanning several decades. She first gained fame as a child singer at the age of four in 1984. Over time, she transitioned into roles as a singer in an indie band and as an actor in both musicals and stage plays. Yet, her most enduring identity is that of a sorikkun, or pansori singer, one of the few in the field capable of filling venues solely on the basis of her reputation. Her mastery of the craft has allowed her to push boundaries, blending traditional storytelling with contemporary sensibilities. Pansori, a traditional Korean narrative performance, involves a singer recounting an epic tale through a combination of song, spoken word, and expressive movement. Accompanied by a gosu, or drummer, who provides rhythm and vocal support, the art form has historically drawn upon five surviving narrative cycles dating back to the Joseon dynasty. In recent years, however, pansori has evolved, with changgeuk companies adapting the tradition for larger casts and more expansive theatrical presentations. Lee’s “Snow, Snow, Snow” exemplifies this evolution, merging classical roots with modern innovation. Following her successful run at the Avignon Festival, Lee is set to return to Seoul for an encore performance at the LG Arts Center later this month. The show will mark the culmination of a journey that began with a small black-box theater production and expanded into an international celebration of art and culture. As she prepares for the return, Lee reflects on the unique experience of presenting pansori to an audience unburdened by cultural expectations, a chance to redefine what the art form can be.