Korean Performing Arts Initiative | Transfigurations: Han Kang's The Vegetarian in Music and Words

Experience an extraordinary evening where text, sound, and performance converge to explore themes of awakening, resistance, and transformation. Renowned Korean American jazz pianist Lisa Sung, together with her ensemble of musicians and actors, presents original songs inspired by The Vegetarian—the celebrated novel by Han Kang, recipient of both the 2016 International Booker Prize and the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Drawing on the psychological intensity, delicate lyricism, and affective power of Han Kang’s writing, Sung’s compositions blur the boundaries between text and sound, inviting audiences into a world of sonic and scenic metamorphosis. The ensemble deepens the immersive experience, with actors reading selected passages from The Vegetarian and animating Han Kang’s prose, while shifting soundscapes and imaginative staging evoke the novel’s profound transformations, encouraging deep listening and emotional resonance.

Adding scholarly perspective, Dr. Youngju Ryu—Professor of Korean Literature in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Michigan and Director of the International Institute—will deliver a special lecture examining Han Kang’s literary works. Dr. Ryu’s insights provide illuminating context, enriching the audience’s appreciation of both the music and its literary inspiration.

Lisa Sung Ensemble:
Eva Rosenwald / Reading
Tae Hoon Yoo / Reading
Andrew Bishop / Saxophone & Flute
Marcus Miller / Saxophone
Max Welterlen / Drum
Brynn Hilliker / Bass

This program is offered as part of the Korean Performing Arts Initiative, highlighting innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to Korean arts on the global stage.

To purchase ticket, please visit: https://myumi.ch/pVq8z

Ticket Pricing:
Red Dot Tier 1: $40 (*Student/Youth $30)
Blue dot Tier 2: $35 (*Student/Youth $25)
Green dot Tier 3: $30 (*Student/Youth $20)

Join us for a unique event that transcends artistic boundaries, offering a multi-sensory journey through jazz, text, sound, and theater.

This event is co-sponsored by Arts Initiative and Kerrytown Concert House.

Accommodation: If there is anything we can do to make this event accessible to you, please contact us at outreachkorea@umich.edu. Please be aware that advance notice is necessary as some accommodations may require more time for the university to arrange.