The best of satire and humorous literature; Choonpoong's Love affair
- A brilliant musical version of The story of Lee Choonpoong -

The author of the story of Lee Choonpoong is unknown and nobody knows for sure exactly when it was written. However, the story of Lee Choonpoong is a satirical tale that depicts the atmosphere of its time. When The story of Lee Choonpoong was written, society was corrupt and plagued with conflicts. Political disputes among parties were at its height and only a few privileged clans were able to occupy government offices. Many aristocrats were forced to give up their official positions and destitute farmers had to leave their lands.
In this time of confusion, fictitious literature took on a new shape. A new direction was presented for novels which were previous limited to stories of exaggerated men and their preposterous adventures in China. Baebijangjeon and Samsungi were one of the first novels to set their stories in Korea, and they portrayed characters with human imperfections. These new novels reflected the lack of confidence people had for society and were quite satirical of the times. The common hero in these stories were distinguished yangban(noblemen) bewitched by gisaeng(courtesans).
Choonpoong's Love affair is the Korean musical drama version of the satirical and humorous novel, the story of Lee Choonpoong. It gives new life to the witty original by adding modern day song, dance and lights.

A bizarre tug-of-war among Choonpoong, his wife, and the most beautiful gisaeng in Pyeongyang, Choowol. Who will be the last one standing?

The story of Lee Choonpoong tells the story of a noble who falls for a gisaeng and is ruined. Lee Choonpoong is noble by birth but choses to live like a scamp. He is allured by a beautiful gisaeng and his wife saves him from disaster. The characters in this story are typical personalities that illustrate the social atmosphere of the times.
The hero of the story, Lee Choonpoong is a well-proportioned man of slick character. Although born of nobility he choses to lead a life of debauchery. He eventually squanders his entire fortune, which includes not only the inheritance left behind by his rich father but also the precious allowance his wife earned sewing, on wine, women, and gambling. To make matters worse, he goes on a wild spending spree with state-loaned money. Choonpoong does not live up to the obligations and ethics of nobleman, but rather proves himself to be a buffoon full of hypocrisy and bluff.
Choowol is a classical depiction of a women that will do anything for money. She recognizes Choonpoong's wealth and seduces him with garish coquetry. But as soon as he loses his lot she shows him the door.
Choonpoong's wife is a model example of a woman in the Chosun dynasty. However, she is a larger-than-life figure that women could only dream of becoming. In sharp contrast with passive and obedient women of that time period, Choonpoong's wife is an enthusiastic and aggressive figure who takes affirmative action to save her husband. Novels such as the story of Lee Chung-pung offered hope to women of the Chosun dynasty who could do nothing about their unjust oppression. Through it they could glimpse a society of gender equality. Stories like this provided new insight to women and motivated them to stand up for their rights. These novels became the foundation for women to improve their economic, social, and political status.
Choonpoong, Choonpoong's wife, and Choowol all reflect the social atmosphere of the period. Nobles were full of bluff and hypocrisy; money could buy anything; and women were woefully oppressed. This gloomy reality is communicated in a satirical and humorous fashion. Choonpoong's love affair reflects on our society today through these three distinct characters.

Date	September 5~December 15
Time	Tuesday~Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Sundays and Holidays at 3:00 p.m. / No performances on Mondays
Place	Ilhwa Hall
Admission	Admission : Students \15,000, Pungryu \25,000, Samcheong \30,000 (1588-7890) Discount : LG, Hyundai, AMEX, Hyundai Department store card 10% Group 20 person above 10%, 30 person above 15%
Packages	\36,000¿ø~110,000(Performance + Korean tea /Performance + meal) (776-2121 Seoul Plaza Hotel call center)

Synopsis

Lee Choonpoong leads a dissipated life and eventually ends up wasting away his entire inheritance. His wife however, manages to save him from ruin by finding a job and working hard for five years. With her hard-earned money Choonpoong is able to get on his feet again. He decides to borrow 5,000 nyang from the state and sets off to start a business in Pyeongyang.
In Pyeongyang, Choonpoong meets Eok-man, a servant who introduces him to the most beautiful gisaeng(courtesan) in the land, Choowol. Choonpoong, is allured by Choowol's cunning charm and squanders his fortune. He eventually becomes Choowol's personal maidservant.
Meanwhile, Choonpoong's wife disguises herself as a man and becomes the treasurer of the Governor of Pyeongyang. She hears the news of Choonpoong, but because of her busy schedule with official duties, searches for her husband only after three years have passed.
The treasurer(Choonpoong's wife) seeks out Choowol and demands the tax payment of undeclared profits. Choowol tries to avoid the predicament by lying that Choonpoong has only temporarily entrusted her with the money. The treasurer then demands Choonpoong to payback his state loan. Choonpoong asks Choowol to return his money and Choowol reluctantly returns Choonpoong's money in front of the treasurer.
Choonpoong returns home with his money and is arrogant and haughty. He is cruel to his wife and complains that her cooking is bad. However, in the end he discovers that his wife is the treasurer and repents his foolishness.

Chapter 1

Choonpoong blows his entire inheritance because of his dissipated spending habits. Luckliy though his wife manages to make some money. As he becomes financially stable again, Choonpoong decides to borrow 5,000 nyang from the state to start a business in Pyeongyang only to find his way to Choowol.

Chapter 2

Lee Choonpoong watches nobleman Heo throw away his fortune to the gisaengs(courtesans). Nevertheless, Choonpoong decides to go after the most beautiful gisaeng, Choowol, reassuring himself that 'a bee always goes for the honey when he sees a flower.' But it is Choonpoong who is captivated by Choowol.

Chapter 3

Choowol pretends to be in love with Choonpoong to get to his money. Choonpoong, enchanted by Choowol's false love forgets about his business and thinks only of having sumptuous banquets. Choowol realizes this and urges Choonpoong to make some more money, so that she may become even richer.

Chapter 4

Night after night Lee Choonpoong is slave to Choowol's beauty. His body becomes weak and his mind feeble. Finally, Choowol takes advantage of Choonpoong and seizes his fortune, leaving Choonpoong penniless.

Chapter 5

Choonpoong regrets his foolishness but cannot do anything about his situation. Left with nothing, he cannot bear to withstand the cold winter so he becomes Choowol's maidservant. Working for Choowol, Choonpoong happens to meet some friends he used to mix with in Hanyang.

Chapter 6

Choonpoong's wife is greatly disappointed when she hears that her husband has become Choowol's servant. However, her grievance lasts for only a short time. She hears the news that the newly appointed Governor of Pyeongyang is looking for a treasurer and decides to apply for the position. Disguised as a man she becomes the treasurer.

Chapter 7

Busy with official work, Choonpoong's wife has time to seek Choonpoong only prior to her return home. Choowol tries to seduce the treasurer but all her tricks seem to backfire. Eventually Choowol is beaten at her own game and is forced to return the money that she had taken from Choonpoong and her other victims as well.

Chapter 8

Choonpoong returns to Hanyang with an arrogant attitude and complains to his wife that her cooking is bad. Choonpoong's wife quietly steps out and returns in the treasurer's uniform. Choonpoong realizes that it was his wife who had saved him and repents his sins.