Welcome to my Room creates a special, intimate theatrical space, offering a glimpse into the personal history of Korean/Korean American actor Yeena Sung. Through hand-drawn images and live music, Yeena explores her experience of lingering between different cultural identities. As you enter the space, you’re greeted by recordings of daily conversations in both Korean and English. This sets the stage for a dreamy narrative that captures the struggle between languages and self-identities.
The clash of in-between identities lies at the centre of Welcome to my Room. With the New York skyline projected on the wall, Yeena shares her fantasy about the city and ambitions of becoming a great actor. The only problem is that all the actors she associates with New York City are white, making it difficult for her to picture herself—a woman with an Asian face—among them. Clashes are everywhere: she talks and moves like a New Yorker straight out of a Netflix series, yet she wrestles with the idea of altering her appearance to fit a Korean beauty standard.
The clash is visualised when toy cars and planes crash into each other, symbolising a moment of overwhelming cultural collision. When Yeena’s friends and family visit simultaneously, their conversations in Korean and American English create a chaotic scene, reminiscent of New York City’s rush hour.
Yeena’s identity narrative, presented in a talk-show style, risks feeling overloaded at times, but is beautifully balanced by the musical interludes. Her songs, blending Korean and English lyrics, harmonise the experiences of confusion, conflict, and uncertainty. Through music, Yeena not only reveals her identity but also her personality that emerges from the merging of different cultural influences.
Welcome to my Room is a sincere exploration of the journey of self-discovery. Despite a relatively simple script, the visual effects and original compositions enhance the lyrical storytelling, making the performance a heartfelt experience.
