Play 'Burning' exploring lives of school meal cooks to premiere in September
Gyeonggi Arts Center to premiere 'Burning: A Blazing Life,' a play highlighting the realities and dignity of non-regular school meal workers.
A new play depicting the lives of school meal cooks working in cafeterias is set to take the stage. The Gyeonggi Arts Center's Gyeonggi Theater Company announced that it will premiere 'Burning: A Blazing Life' at the Gyeonggi Arts Center Small Theater from September 18 to 20.
Written by Cho Eun-joo, the work was developed through extensive research and personal interviews with school meal cooks. The play has already earned critical acclaim, having been selected as the Grand Prize winner of the 4th Creative Playwriting Contest. Following a staged reading in June 2025, the production has undergone a full staging process for its official premiere.
The reality of non-regular workers in education
The play explores the lives of school meal cooks who, despite being essential to the daily lives of students, face precarious working conditions as non-regular employees. Since the full implementation of school meal programs in 1998, various non-regular workers—including meal cooks, educational welfare workers, care specialists, and professional counselors—have supported the educational system, yet their working environments remain largely overlooked by society.
By closely following the individual lives and relationships of these cooks, the play questions the value of labor and the necessity of community understanding. The narrative uses everyday situations to confront the audience with reality, echoing a recent trend in OTT platforms and dramas that highlight schools, labor sites, and the struggles of the socially vulnerable.
Director Park Hye-sun conveys the dignity of labor
The production is directed by Park Hye-sun, who was nominated for Best Director in the Theater category at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards. Through this performance, Park aims to deliver a message about a society where labor is respected. "I want to convey a message toward a society where the daily routines of eating and working are respected, and where labor leads to happiness and pride," Park said regarding her production goals.
Discount opportunities are available for audiences. The Gyeonggi Arts Center offers the '10,000 Won Happiness Seat' along with Youth Pass, Gyeonggi Province resident, and multi-child family discounts. Those who reserve tickets by August 10 can receive a 40% early bird discount. Ticket prices are 30,000 won for R-seats, 20,000 won for S-seats, and 10,000 won for the '10,000 Won Happiness Seat.'
