"Wicked" will return to Korea this summer, with its international tour cast taking the stage to perform the hit musical in its original English. This marks the show’s first visit to the country in 13 years since its 2012 Korean premiere.
This stage production comes after the success of “Wicked: Part One,” the film adaptation starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda. The film drew over 2.2 million moviegoers in South Korea.
For the first time, the musical will be staged in three cities: opening in Seoul’s Blue Square Theater before heading to Busan’s Dream Theatre in November and concluding at Daegu’s Keimyung Art Center in January 2026.
“‘Wicked’ is a production that appeals not only to moviegoers who have not seen the musical but also to children, seniors and those who do not frequently visit theaters. At the same time, the Busan and Daegu performances are expected to attract new regional audiences who have yet to experience musicals,” an official at the production company S&Co told The Korea Herald on Friday. The company is behind both original and licensed local production.
The Korean version of the musical premiered in 2013 and ran for 11 months before returning in 2016 and 2021.
Debuting in 2003, “Wicked” is a globally acclaimed Broadway musical that reimagines the untold story of the witches of Oz, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale of "The Wizard of Oz." With music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, the musical explores the complex friendship between Elphaba, a misunderstood, green-skinned with, and Glinda, a popular and ambitious witch.
Since its premiere, the musical has become one of the most successful musicals of all time, surpassing over $6 billion in ticket sales globally. It has been staged in 16 countries produced in six different languages and won more than 100 international awards, including three Tony Awards and a Grammy Award for best musical show album.
gypark@heraldcorp.com
