Masked plays are dramas in which performers wear masks. Some argue that masks are nothing more than facades, and that masked plays are, in essence, mere performances. However, watching one might spark the thought: does wearing a mask make my portrayal any less genuine? Could it be that the sentiments expressed behind a mask are those too raw, too true, to be shown otherwise? Perhaps they encompass the authentic happiness we all chase? At their heart, aren't masked plays tales of souls seeking joy?
In the masked plays of the three East Asian countries-Korea, China, and Japan-there's an underlying commonality in their origins and evolution. Yet, they diverge subtly, much like our distinct faces, languages, and cultures. These plays satirize society, stir emotions with heroic tales, and greet the dawn with dances that mimic the divine. As we listen to the varied voices from behind these masks, we come to understand the genuine yearnings they harbor: unguarded confessions, dreams of heroism, and prayers offered to the divine, all expressed from behind a mask.