The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly announces the first edition of OnStage Korea at Home, a virtual version of the popular live performance series OnStage Korea, launching with an enchanting black light puppet theater retelling of The Ugly Duckling by Korea-based Art Company: The Blessed.

Based on the beloved story by Hans Christian Andersen, this stunning retelling of The Ugly Duckling by the innovative Art Company: The Blessed takes the form of a charming and captivating black light puppet theater performance. The show resembles a live cartoon animation, integrating unique two-dimensional puppetry, vivid lighting, voice acting, and whimsical storytelling. However, this timeless story of an adventurous duckling is reimagined for children of all ages.

(Photo : OnStage Korea at Home)

The story begins with a fairy tale author suffering from writer's block, desperate to create a character for his new work. All his attempts fail miserably, until a miraculous turn of events: his quill pen slips away and starts drawing by itself, creating a magical world of imagination. The empty balloon of the creator's thoughts turns into an egg, from which a small duckling embarks on his journey into the world.

Cheerful and full of expectation, the duckling encounters many trials as he searches for his rightful place under the sun where he will be loved and appreciated. The duckling also meets many colorful characters along the way, but they are often indifferent or repulsed by him for being different.

As each situation becomes unbearable, however, the feather quill flies back to the duckling to direct and encourage him on his path to finding a home.

Check out "The Ugly Duckling" performance below!

Art Company: The Blessed is a performance troupe of artists who seek to change the world through art and its healing power, allowing others a life full of joy and contentment. The company explores various topics through creative family-style theater performances that contribute to the development of well-rounded artistic education programs.

OnStage Korea at Home presented by the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. seeks to discover brilliant artists actively performing in the U.S., Korea, and around the world, as with in-person OnStage Korea events, but showcases these artists' creativity online for the American public at large. The program also advances the center's mission to foster cultural exchange by expanding the visibility of excellent Korean performing arts and artists in American society. The 2020 Season of Onstage Korea at Home will present a variety of exceptional performances through an online virtual stage format, allowing for greater audience access and variety of content.