Roommate: Spike - The Second of the Roommate series

The play "Roommate: Spike" is currently being staged at Adapter Theatre in Busan until May 26th, 2024. Garnering esteemed accolades like the 42nd Busan Theatre Festival Unlimited Division's "Best Picture Award" and "Best Performance Award (Kim Joo-hyo)", this production promises a captivating blend of comedy and profound insights into human nature.

"Roommate: Spike" revolves around the lives of young female adults in their 20s and 30s navigating the challenges of job hunting. The dynamic between the characters mirrors that of a volleyball match, with elements such as the control tower setter, the attacking spiker, and the defensive libero weaving seamlessly into the narrative. Each character assumes a unique role within this theme, contributing to the unfolding story with precision and depth.

The three female characters, Young-hyun, Joo-hyo, and Da-bin share a residence in Seoul as they gear up for employment. When Young-hyun secures a job opportunity ahead of the others. They decide to mark the occasion with a celebratory gathering. However, hidden truths surface, altering the atmosphere of the party unexpectedly. Meanwhile, a Korea-Japan volleyball match plays on TV, mirroring their interactions as the play progresses with lots of drama and intrigue.

Can their bonds withstand their revelations and unite them as a cohesive group? Will the they unify by embracing the harsh realities they face, using them as a catalyst to come together? In volleyball, a spike denotes the forceful way a ball is struck. Similarly, they require a "spike" to aid them in confronting certain truths.

Young-hyun Ahn is an actress and also works as fitting model. Among many of her talents, she is a writer, co-writing "Roommate: Spike" with Kyu-Jin Baek.

All three actors hail from Busan and majoring in acting. In addition to their ongoing collaborations with the ICONTACT theatre company, they are actively engaged in other projects within Busan. They agree that their favourite aspect of acting in the play is the sense of reality it brings. While performing, they reveal their true selves and instantly feel the audience's reaction. This sense of realism is perhaps the greatest privilege a theatre actor can experience.

Joo-hyo Kim is a born comedian. She has the ability to make anyone laugh and her talent as an actress has been given positive feedback.

According to the actors, there are many types of laughter. Some laughs are simply for amusement, while others come from understanding the underlying meaning. Their focus has been on the kind of laughter that conveys topical social messages. The Roommate series is a comedy that elicits a pleasant laugh, but this laughter also carries the audience's empathy and emotion. "Roommate: Spike" offers not just entertainment but also delivers a meaningful societal message that resonates with the audience.

Dabin Jung is a versatile actress as well as a singer. She often stars in musical productions and has many projects to look forward.

Kyu-Jin Baek, a talented writer and actor and has garnered praise in recent reviews for "Roommate: Spike". He is the mastermind behind the Roommate trilogy with the final part being slated for a December performance this year, so do watch out for it.

Observing the plight of theatre performances in the wake of the pandemic, Baek Kyu-jin thought about, what truly brings a play to life and he hoped to craft a play conveying a message of mutual support through authentic comedic expression. He achieved his goal by creating "Roommate: Spike" a beloved production cherished by all who experience it.

Seung-Min Yang, a represented of ICONTACT an accomplished actor and producer, collaborated as a co-producer with Adapter Theatre.

According to Seungmin, the Roommate trilogy presents an opportunity to continue pushing boundaries in genre experimentation, offering audiences fresh and exciting experiences.

Seung-Min said: "We hope our dedication and research in comedy theatre craftsmanship will resonate with audiences and fellow organizations, inspiring further innovation in genre fusion. With continued exploration, I am optimistic that comedy theatre can transcend its commercial stereotypes, evolving into a dynamic art form appreciated for its creativity and depth."

A key player in the production, we asked him a few questions about "Roommate: Spike" to further understand his thoughts and vision.

How did the idea of theme of a volleyball game and the different components come together?

First of all, it can be noted that the penalty kick and spike plays are 'seeking an opportunity to attack'.

Paradoxically, it can also be explained as a crisis situation in which dangerous attacks from the opponent must be prevented. The theme which runs through the entire roommate series is "Aiming for a reversal in the crisis of life," and by using the terminology associated with sports games, it was possible to imagine the parallels between life and the games.

Does this play portray reality in South Korea?

10,000,000,000% realistic testimony. I think the lives of young people in their 20s and 30s preparing for employment is relatable as well as dating, marriage and friendship. This is not only a concern in Korea but also for people around the world where they are trying to establish their identity and job prospects.

⁠Is there anything unique about the set?

One of the main features of the Roommate series is that they watch live sports broadcasts on TV as the drama continues. So, there is a small TV on the stage. You can vividly see the process of getting points and being beaten while the game is being played out on TV.

Another important element of the show is Korean eating together culture. In "Roommate: Spike", they order tteokbokki and eat it with beer. The Audience can watch and hear, smell, drink beer, and enjoy the performance in a multi-sensory manner.

Why do you think the audience loves the play so much?

Because this is about our youth. Not just for fun in terms of comedy, but more like about the golden times that we have all gone through or are going through. We all can easily relate and immerse ourselves into every situation that we’re showing because it's relatable.

The third and final instalment of the Roommate series will be in December 2024, for further enquiries you can contact the Adapter theatre.