Tripe Restaurant That Moved Tokyo Returns to Seoul After 14 Years: Korea-Japan Joint Play ‘Yakiniku Dragon’

[Financial News] The play 'Yakiniku Dragon: Yong-gil’s Tripe Restaurant,' which depicts the lives of ethnic Koreans in Japan during the 1970s with both laughter and tears, returns to the stage. This signature work by Chong Wishing, a second-and-a-half generation Korean living in Japan and a symbol of Korea-Japan cultural exchange, will premiere in Japan in October and then move to Korea in November, delivering timeless emotion across generations.

According to SAC on the 17th, the Korea-Japan co-produced play 'Yakiniku Dragon: Yong-gil’s Tripe Restaurant' opened to great acclaim at the New National Theatre, Tokyo (NNTT) on the 7th. From the very first performance, the play received standing ovations and moved audiences to tears, earning enthusiastic praise from local media and theatergoers, and marking the start of its official tour. The production will meet Korean audiences this November at the CJ Towol Theater in SAC.
'Yakiniku Dragon' was created in 2008 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of SAC and the 10th anniversary of NNTT. Chong Wishing, a second-and-a-half generation Korean living in Japan, wrote and directed the play based on his own life and experiences of the era. Returning to the stage after 14 years, this performance holds special significance as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan.
Director Chong Wishing is recognized in Japan as a leading playwright and director known for his sensitive portrayals of the socially marginalized and outsiders. In May 2023, he adapted and directed the film 'Parasite' for the stage, selling out every seat in Tokyo. By setting the story in Japan’s Kansai region and offering sharp insights into social contradictions, inequality, and human nature, he received high praise from both local media and audiences.
The play 'Yakiniku Dragon' is a masterful work that encapsulates Chong Wishing’s artistic vision, delicately portraying the lives and identities of Koreans living in Japan. It stands as a quintessential example of realist theater. At the Japanese production press conference in August, Chong Wishing remarked, “For the 2025 performance, the original cast members from both Korea and Japan have reunited. I hope to present a newly refined 'Yakiniku Dragon' with the spirit of our beginnings.”

Set in Japan’s Kansai region in the 1970s, the play tells the story of a Korean family struggling to survive as outsiders. Yong-gil, who lost an arm and his wife in the war, runs a tripe restaurant named 'Yakiniku Dragon' after his own name, Yong (Dragon). The family includes Yong-gil’s two daughters from his first marriage, his second wife Young-soon, her daughter from a previous marriage, and their youngest son. Despite harsh realities, disabilities, and discrimination, the family’s journey is depicted with both laughter and tears, offering a deeply moving exploration of hope and identity.
In this production, actors and musicians greet the audience on stage and in the auditorium 20 minutes before the curtain rises. Through a pre-show featuring the aroma of grilling meat and lively music, guests are invited to feel like customers at the restaurant, experiencing a unique sense of immersion even before the play begins.
Director Chong Wishing highlighted the pre-show as a special feature of this performance, saying, “I hope everyone enjoys the lively music performed by two musicians on janggu (Korean drum) and accordion during the 20 minutes before the show and the 15-minute intermission.”
This stage brings together both the original 2008 cast and newly joined talented actors from Korea and Japan. The role of the father, Yong-gil, is played by Lee Young-suk, known for his strong presence in the drama 'My Mister' and the play 'Orphan of Zhao: Seeds of Revenge.' The mother, Young-soon, is portrayed by Go Soo-hee, who has appeared in 'Hedda Gabler,' 'Elephant Song,' and has served as a muse for director Chong Wishing. Park Soo-young, who delivered memorable performances in the film 'Big Family' and the drama 'My Liberation Notes,' takes on the role of Shizuka’s fiancé, Yoon Dae-soo. Kim Moon-sik, who has appeared most frequently in Chong Wishing’s works, plays the regular customer Oh Il-baek. The role of Mika, the youngest daughter who dreams of becoming a singer, is filled with energy by newcomer Soo Yeon Jeong.
Notably, Go Soo-hee, Park Soo-young, and Kim Moon-sik were all part of the original 2008 cast.
SAC stated, “It is very meaningful to present this legendary masterpiece again, which sold out every performance and received standing ovations during its 2008 premiere and 2011 revival. We especially hope that this play, commemorating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, will deepen mutual cultural understanding and broaden exchanges between the two countries.”
jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-a Reporter