The Puppet Show “Babyplant”

A “babyplant” is a small plant with yellow flower buds that blossom from late spring through early summer. These little plants that decorate the sandy roads of country farms are also popularly used as herbs. The flower language for this plant is “a secret love” - a perfect match for the unconditional love of parents towards their children.

It is this very plant that the mother swallow brings to cure the baby swallow’s eyesight in the famous Greek myth. Actually, the myth is the source of the plant’s scientific name: Chelidonium. It comes from “chelidon,” which is the Greek word for swallow.

The puppet show “Babyplant,” which opens January 20, beautifully embodies the idea of parental love with adorable puppets and an intriguing and moving plot. The story takes place in a small town in Korea 30 years ago.

Haneul, whose mother has a limp, is always being mocked by her friends as “the cripple’s child.” Filled with resentment against her mother, she makes a shocking discovery while going through her mother’s diary. A big fire had broken out in her house when she was little in which, in the hopes of saving her life, her father had died and her mother had been badly hurt. After reading this, all of her past resentment changes to deep love.

Playing until February 1 at Daehagno Yeon-woo Theater, 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Entrance fee is 15,000 won. For further information, call 02-980-1245.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com