Big Data Algorithms: The Shadow of Perception Manipulation
The Seoul Metropolitan Theatre Company is sounding an alarm with its new play 'Big Mother,' which depicts a 2026 dystopia where big data and algorithms manipulate public perception. In the current era, flooded with deepfake technology, society is growing accustomed to a 'hyper-real' virtual reality where distinguishing between the fake and the real is increasingly difficult. This suggests the possibility of perception manipulation by the immense power wielded by those controlling big data and algorithms.
'Big Mother,' based on Mélody Mouret's 2023 Molière Award-nominated work, is a modern parody of George Orwell's 'Big Brother.' It marks the Seoul Metropolitan Theatre Company's first production of the season and the directorial debut for company head Lee Jun-woo. Director Lee has staged the play with 58 scenes, utilizing LED screens and live filming techniques, creating a rapid progression reminiscent of American political dramas or the film 'Searching,' compelling audiences to keep pace breathlessly.
The play follows the process of truth-seeking triggered by a deepfake scandal involving the incumbent president. Through the stories of a group advocating for the abolition of representative democracy, forces attempting to manipulate public opinion with fake news, and the developer behind the 'Big Mother' program, the play poses a fundamental question: 'Does truth even matter?' It criticizes citizens, who have become desensitized to perception manipulation by providing personal information for convenience, and the media's true face, capable of misleading public opinion through selective reporting. The play emphasizes that 'it is journalists who must fight fake news' and delivers a message to 'confront uncomfortable truths.'
The set, designed like a glass-framed broadcast studio, and live video elements recreate the modern media environment where information is generated and circulated. The real-time screen, constantly calling up various media like breaking news, interviews, and dramas, prompts the question: are we not being surveilled by 'Big Brother,' but rather are we the ones following 'Big Mother'? Music Director Jang Young-gyu's sound design, employing electronic music and irregular noise, amplifies feelings of anxiety and confusion.