“The Daegu International Musical Festival, the very first in Korea and the one and only musical festival in Asia, is celebrating its ninth year with the unwavering support of the citizens of Daegu,” said Kwon Young-jin, mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City. 

“This year’s festival will introduce works from Russia, Slovakia, France and China that are not well known, but very high in terms of quality,” he said, adding that the continued influx of outside musical productions will help foster local productions in the international market, helping to further develop the ever-so booming Korean musical industry. 

Opening this year’s festival was the British musical “Return to the Forbidden Planet” -- a wacky, space-odyssey rock musical that is an unlikely mesh of science fiction, Shakespeare and live rock ‘n’ roll -- staging five performances over three days, finishing Sunday.

Also taking the main stage at DIMF was the Korean-original musical “Flower Shoes,” from the mind of playwright Ok Gyeong-seon. The piece told the painful tale of Korean “comfort women,” who were forced into prostitution at frontline brothels for the Japanese army during World War II. 

Still to come to the DIMF main stage is the Taiwanese musical “Non Reading Club,” which will be performed from July 3-5. The production is based on the life of fictional character Wu Ji, who is emotionally tormented on a daily basis, unable to forget about his past love. Once a shining opera star, his heartbreak leads him to return to Taipei and open a bookstore, just waiting for his love to return to him.

The Czech Republic’s “Phantom of London” is also slated to hit the main stage next week from July 10-12. The musical is based on the true tale of one of London’s most feared serial killers, Jack the Ripper. Set in the heart of a bleak and dreary London, an unknown assailant murders a local prostitute. The horrific murders capture the imagination of local journalists, who start to describe the killings in gruesome detail, sensationalizing every act and circumstance and spreading fear throughout the city. 

Concluding the list of international highlights is the German rendition of the musical “Sweet Charity,” which will be showcased from July 10-12. The production tells the tale of Charity Hope Valentine, an eternal optimist who wants nothing more out of life than to be loved. To earn money, Charity takes a job at a club dancing for men. Still in her hunt for Mr. Right, Charity meets Oscar, the man of her dreams. In order to keep him in her life, Charity must jump through hoops to make sure Oscar never finds out how she makes her living.

Hosted by the city of Daegu and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the annual event was first established in 2006 to promote the city of Daegu as a musical hub in Asia. It continues until July 13.

Ticket prices vary by production. For more information on pricing and scheduling, visit www.dimf.or.kr.

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)