[EDITOR’S PICK] Korean Musicals to enjoy in May!

I hope everyone will have an amazing summer!

Musical ‘Boy A’

뮤지컬 ‘보이A’

Venue: Yes24 Stage 3

Runtime: 2023.05.30 – 2023.08.20

We present a brand new musical based on Jonathan Trigell’s novel by the same name, published in 2004 and recreated as a TV movie by Mark O’Rowe in 2007. This work holds a story that continues to captivate audiences in various forms to this day, this time presented as a musical. The company advises checking trigger warnings before viewing this musical, as it contains scenes that may make the audience uncomfortable.

It tells the story of a boy released on parole after serving a long prison sentence for a crime he might or might not have committed. With the new name ‘Jack’, he seeks to experience everything he was deprived of, including getting a job or making friends. However, the guilt of hiding his past does not relent. One day Jack saves a child at the scene of a car accident and becomes a press-labelled hero. At the same time, the news of ‘Boy A’ release resurfaces and those who appeared as friends before now turn cold in the face of the cruel past.

This work sheds light on both the hope of released juvenile offenders that try to start a new life and society’s immediate rejection of such individuals. Musical Boy A asks questions, instead of giving answers, about the reality that we cannot turn a blind eye to. It carefully offers individuals in the audience an opportunity to consider how they would look at Boy A.

Musical ‘Trace U’

뮤지컬 ‘트레이스유’

Venue: Link Art Center Bugs Hall

Runtime: 2023.05.11 – 2023.08.20

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year since its premiere in 2013, the musical Trace You has been loved by fans every season by providing intense rock sounds from live bands, attractive musical numbers, suspenseful stories, and exciting and thrilling stages that surpass even rock concerts. Before the preview run in 2012, it was awarded the Musical Script Competition Award under the original name The Man’s Secret.

The musical Trace You, which returned after two years, heralded an unprecedented transformation by revising the stage, costumes, and other visuals ahead of this season’s comeback to Daehakro. A new song was added to show a more upgraded performance and new gender-free casting was introduced, all of which amount to expectations that it will once again create a box office craze for small theatre musicals.

Its setting is a club called “DeBai” (드바이) in Hongdae, where singer Bonha and club manager Woobin work together. BonHa, who falls in love with a woman that comes to the club every day, is unable to confess his feelings and dances around her. After mustering up courage he sends her a note to meet at 4 am when the club closes, to relay his feelings. But no matter how long he waits, the woman does not show up, not the day set on the note or any other day afterwards. Bonha is unable to forget and while waiting for her he keeps messing up his shows, which infuriates Woobin. But what if the meeting did take place and the woman was never seen again after?

Musical ‘Beastie’

뮤지컬 ‘비스티’

Venue: Link Art Center Payco Hall

Runtime: 2023.05.16 – 2023.08.13

A creative musical under Neo Production is once again back with its fourth season this month! Its title and material are the same as the Beastie Boys movie, but the overall content is completely different. This work has come a long way since reading in 2012 and tryouts in 2016, steadfastly being one of the musical classics most fans recognize. Five men chase the inescapable value of reality with hidden blades aimed at their hearts. Youth with its wavering soul live through each day, yet when the darkness falls, neon lights illuminate the reality. Loyalty, luxury, hope and dignity but also inescapable betrayal, corruption, deception and killing …

Musical ‘Paris Bakery’

뮤지컬 ‘빠리빵집’

Venue: Sejong Center for the Performing Arts S Theater

Runtime: 2023.05.13 – 2023.06.25

After being selected as the 2018 Wooran Culture Foundation leading performance and successfully finishing tryouts in 2019, the musical Paris Bakery is having its premiere this month! It is the first work to be staged by Library Company, a global live-content company, since its official opening as a musical and theatre business.

Paris Bakery presents a story everyone can relate to, adorned by fantasy time travel. A 19-year-old boy dreams of becoming a patissier but on the first day of work, he travels back in time and meets his parents when they were the same age as him. Conflicting emotions after his mother’s death turn into determination to fulfil her only regret and change the past. In the process of understanding each other’s hearts, the audience will also rediscover memories of their first love, youthful dreams but also painful goodbyes. It draws on sympathy from a wide range of age groups and leaves warm lingering feelings in everyone’s hearts.

Musical ‘Who Lives in the Kuroi Mansion?’

뮤지컬 ‘쿠로이 저택엔 누가 살고있을까?’

Venue: Plus Theater

Runtime: 2023.05.02 – 2023.07.23

Musical Who Lives in Kuroi Mansion? is back with its second season after its premiere in 2021! Despite the gloomy backdrop of Imperial Japan, the atmosphere is pleasant, filled with musical numbers from a wide range of genres and the audience buzzes with laughter. Holographs, three-dimensional stages, lightning and props in perfect positions make the work lively and captivating. During the Japanese colonial era, Haewoong, who was hiding after losing his brother, is mesmerized by an unknown power to visit the Kuroi Mansion in Jangmi Port. There he meets ghosts who dream of passing on in the name of Budha but can’t. Okhee and the ghosts of the Kuroi Mansion beg Haewoong for help since he is the only one who can hear their voices. They all share a common goal of leaving the Kuroi Mansion but who can leave this mansion first?

If you would like to see more of certain content, do not hesitate to leave a comment below! ❤

Previous [Editor’s Pick]: HERE

‘Editor’s Pick’ contains teasers of partial cast, please check the official page of the production company for whole cast.

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