Sometimes, real life is more dramatic than fiction. Take President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law — an event so intense it might one day inspire artists to create new works. Fascinating stories rooted in real life have always been a source of inspiration, as shown in musicals currently on stage, ranging from productions over two decades old to ones that debuted just two months ago. However, it is important to remember that these works are not documentaries — creators often take artistic liberties, blending fact and fiction to craft a compelling story.
"Swing Days: Codename A"
“Swing Days” is inspired by real-life entrepreneur and independence activist New Il-han, who founded Yuhan Corp. in 1926, one of Korea’s first pharmaceutical companies. The musical highlights New’s secret role in the NAPKO project, a covert operation by the US Office of Strategic Services (a predecessor to the American CIA) to train 19 Korean agents for espionage during Japanese colonial rule. New, codenamed “A,” remained unknown until declassified documents revealed his involvement 20 years after his death in 1971.
In the musical, New is Yoo Il-hyoung, a character performed by Yoo Jun-sang, Shin Sung-rok and Min Woo-hyuk.
The musical's producer Kim Hee-jai said that she sought to create a musical that balances universality with individuality, “so much so that if the actual Dr. New were to watch this musical, he might think, ‘I didn’t act like that.’”
The scene of kamikaze pilots carrying out their mission under the influence of drugs is one of the most striking, unforgettable moments in the musical.
“Swing Days” runs until Feb. 9, 2025, at the Chungmu Arts Center in central Seoul.
“Mata Hari”
The musical "Mata Hari" is based on Margaretha Zelle, better known by her stage name Mata Hari. A Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan, she was executed by a French firing squad in 1917, accused of being a double agent for Germany and France.
The musical focuses on the struggle of Mata Hari, who survived an abusive and serial adulterer husband and reinvented herself as a dancer.
Having premiered in 2016, the fourth run of Mata Hari, led by Kwon Eun-ah, has been fine-tuned to meet audience expectations with its visuals, storyline and musical coherence, according to Ock Joo-hyun, who shares the role of Mata Hari with K-pop singer Solar.
Ock, for whom composer Frank Wildhorn wrote the music, has played the role in all four runs.
“Mata Hari” is being staged until March 2 at LG Arts Center in Magok-dong, western Seoul.
“Tick, Tick … Boom!”
“Tick, Tick... Boom!” is based on the life of Jonathan Larson, the composer and playwright best known for the musical “Rent.” The semiautobiographical work that Larson wrote about his struggles as an aspiring artist in New York City in the late 1980s starts with “Everything you are about to see is true, except for the parts that Jonathan made up.”
The musical portrays Larson’s journey as he grapples with rejection, self-doubt and the ticking clock of time, set against the backdrop of his close friendships and the emerging AIDS crisis.
“Tick, Tick... Boom!” was adapted into a full musical by playwright David Auburn after Larson's death in 1996 at the age of 35.
Seensee, a leading musical production company, has revived the show 14 years after its last performance in 2010. The latest production adds three more to the original cast of five, creating a richer ensemble.
The production runs until Feb. 2 at Coex Artium in southeastern Seoul.
gypark@heraldcorp.com
