“I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.”
WHO: Sora Baek
WHAT: “On her 15th birthday, Jisun, a North Korean girl, decides to sell herself to an old man to buy medication for her dying mother. But after risking her life by crossing into China, she learns that her under-developed body is not-sellable. Will she survive as she struggles in a merciless foreign land, where her very existence is illegal? Performed at the U.S. Capitol Center, this powerful and fast-paced solo piece is inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous female North Korean defectors. ‘Excellent… important’ (Henry Song, North Korean Human Rights Activist).”
WHERE: Pleasance Courtyard – Below (Venue 33)
WHEN: 12:35 (55 min)
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Is this your first time to Edinburgh?
Yes this is my first time and I am super excited to travel to Edinburgh, work with the most caring staff ever, and meet open-minded theatre lovers all around the world! I grew up in a very small town in South Korea so this is a huge moment for me. I am just so ready to experience this most amazing festival and get inspired!
I am also bringing my kids so we will be running up the hills and jumping in the puddles in this beautiful city. My son’s into unicycles and I hope to find a unicycle act for him somewhere on the Royal Mile.
What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?
You can only be YOU! I remember crying a lot because I was not able to speak English without a thick accent no matter how hard I tried. I really thought my career was over unless I got rid of my accent. But here I am. I wrote a play in which it made sense for the character to have an accent.
Everything is figureoutable. Just like Ryan Holiday says “Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition”.
Tell us about your show.
I wrote it and am producing it.
Inspired by the true stories of incredibly courageous North Korean women defectors, “SELL ME: I am from North Korea” is a solo show that follows a North Korean girl, Jisun, who decides to sell herself to an old man to make money for her dying mother. However, after risking everything by crossing into China, she learns that no one wants to buy her and she finds herself on the streets.
In 2018, right after my son was born, I became deeply focused on the stories of North Korean women defectors after reading a book called “Girl with Seven Names” by Hyunseo Lee. The book literally shook my entire system and kept me awake at night. It was challenging to stay creative and find time to work on the piece while taking care of my newborn son. However, this intense urgency to share their incredibly courageous stories with the rest of the world kept me going.
In 2020, I premiered my first solo show, SELL ME: I am from North Korea, at the International Human Rights Festival in New York. During the pandemic, I recorded the show and virtually toured different colleges. I got to meet so many college students who were shocked by the brutal reality of life in North Korea and wanted to learn more about North Korean defectors.
In 2022, I was part of the Pan-Asian Theater Repertory’s festival in New York. Last autumn, I also had the honour to perform at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to call on the Chinese government to stop its forced repatriation policy. Recently, SELL ME was part of Soho Theater Company’s the Lighthouse series in NY.
What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?
The big shout-outs to all the fellow Asian female artists who make incredible work!
A good friend of mine, Carolyn Castiglis, is bringing her amazing one woman show CHUCK @ Uno Mas
Another wonderful friend of mine, Ricky Sim, is bringing an Asian Queer story “Coming Out to Dead People” @ Assembly Roxy Downstairs
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