"Choi gives a sympathetic and touching portrayal of our heroine, one that does not surrender to the well-worn choice of insanity...Choi is also a talented musician, although the drum doesn't seem as integral to the story as the title suggests. Still, the notion of an instrument that reverberates with the emotional trauma of its owner is a fascinating one that Choi could afford to explore even further in this worthy piece."
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“What would otherwise be a solid narrative thread gets a bit tangled in the sticky part-where the fiction of Choi’s adaptation meets the 'fact' of Shakespeare’s original...Choi’s deep connection to the character allowed me to enjoy the scenes, but I couldn’t help wondering what the overall driving force was, and where the character was ultimately heading...My favorite part of the piece: watching Ophelia play her Korean drum."
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“Choi is an engaging performer, yet the piece unfolds in a predictable manner without very many new insights into Ophelia’s character other than the expressive drum...We don’t really discover anything new about Ophelia, Hamlet or the happenings in Elsinore’s court. But Ji Young Choi is a compelling actress and the drum does indeed communicate both joy and sorrow, and for that reason ‘While Ophelia’s Korean Drum Weeps’ is a fairly interesting expression of Ophelia’s heartache.”
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"I am deeply grateful that I had the honor of being present for Ji Young Choi’s gift...Choi–as the writer, performer, designer, dancer, drummer, director–is breathtaking. She has captured the watery essence of Ophelia with arresting fragility and startling heartache...The piece was underscored by an emotive soundtrack that created various layers of intense emotions, and she seamlessly integrated it into every inflection, gesture, and dance step...I wish this production were having a longer run."
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