Veteran puppet actors from Dangjin join trot singers for special dinner

A puppet troupe from Sanseong-ri village, featuring members aged between 76 and 94, joined trot singers for a dinner show on TV CHOSUN. The nine-year veteran performers, who have received awards from the Residents' Autonomous Council and South Chungcheong Province, shared a meal and a puppet show during the gathering.

A puppet troupe, led by a 94-year-old eldest member and a 76-year-old youngest member, held a special dinner with trot singers. Revealed through TV CHOSUN's 'Trot Kitchen: The Running Dinner Show', the gathering drew attention as it featured elderly actresses who have been performing puppet shows in Sanseong-ri village, Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, for nine years.

"True leads come from experience"... Special performance by 9-year veteran puppet actors

The grandmothers from Sanseong-ri village, the protagonists of the dinner, were introduced not merely as visitors but as puppet actors with nine years of experience. They have led the village's cultural activities by presenting puppet shows containing local legends or educational content for elementary school students. In particular, their performances, which feature emotional depth through recordings of the grandmothers' own voices, have been highly regarded in the local community, earning achievements such as the Grand Prize from the Residents' Autonomous Council and a South Chungcheong Province award as representatives of Dangjin.

An unusual conversation took place at the scene regarding the ages of the grandmothers. From the eldest, estimated to be 94, to the youngest at 76, the cast expressed respect for the group's seasoned presence, stating, "True leads come from experience." The grandmothers appeared wearing group T-shirts made to promote unity among village residents, demonstrating the solidarity of their community.

Meeting between life-saving firefighter and actors

Gak Eun-ho, a firefighter known as a "Dangjin Hero" for saving a citizen's life through CPR at Taejosan Mountain in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, also attended the gathering. Based on his experience saving a life in the field, Gak participated in CPR training held during the dinner, sharing practical information including how to check for responsiveness, reporting, checking breathing, and performing chest compressions (5cm depth, 100–120 times per minute).

The dinner menu included shrimp cooked with garlic and butter, meat, and rice served with fresh kimchi. The cast shared the carefully prepared meal while expressing anticipation for the grandmothers' performance. The grandmothers showed their passion for the stage, saying, "We will perform with our eyes wide open, so please clap for us," and the subsequent puppet show heightened the atmosphere of the scene.

The value of puppet shows conveying village stories

The Sanseong-ri village puppet troupe serves as a medium for delivering local stories to children. The old tales told directly by the grandmothers provide emotional stability to children and add educational value. The stage shown through this dinner show serves as an example of how elderly actors act as cultural assets for the local community beyond mere performance.

Source: original video (YouTube)