The Method of Action Analysis and the North Korean Realism Theatre in the 1960s

A debate about Method of Action Analysis (MAA), derived from the Stanislavski System split older actors and newly trained DPRK theatre artists in the early 1960s. The conflict arose around memorizing lines, which had previously been done during table work. Using the art journal Joseon-yesul (Korean Art) published by the government, two generations debated acting. Eventually MAA was established at the instruction of Kim Il-sung, who stated that all artists must undertake participant observation for realistic portrayals. Yet, MAA as practiced in this case did not necessarily involve psychological expansion, which was the overall objective of the exercises outlined by Stanislavski.