Now In Korea
New Korean Original Stage Works Premiere This Year-End
Creatrip Team
a month ago
South Korea’s performing arts scene will see a wave of original premieres this year-end, blending traditional sentiments with imaginative storytelling. The National Opera of Korea will stage a new opera, Hwajeonga, on Oct 25–26 at the Seoul Arts Center, set in April 1950 in Andong and focusing on the lives of women waiting and supporting each other before the outbreak of the Korean War; mezzo-soprano Lee Ah-kyung stars as the lead. Seongnam Arts Foundation presents Wind Song, an original opera based on children’s songs by composer Park Tae-hyun, on Nov 14–15. Seoul Arts Center’s Seoul Arts Company opens Jeon Woo-chi (Oct 25–Nov 2), a new creative musical about a legendary Joseon-era trickster turned folk hero; renowned illusionist Lee Eun-kyul serves as “magical scene director,” and roles include Lee Han-soo and Son Dong-woon. Following that, the company stages Cheongsachorong Bul Balgyeora (Nov 29–Dec 20) — a playful Joseon-era wedding-planner story set at the fictional first wedding agency “Cheongsachorong” (cheongsachorong: traditional Korean paper lantern). EMK Company premieres its 10th original musical, The Man in Hanbok (Dec 2), adapted from Lee Sang-hoon’s novel; it follows Joseon inventor Jang Yeong-sil and a modern investigation that bridges Korea and Europe, including encounters with historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci. Casts feature prominent musical actors such as Park Eun-tae, Jeon Dong-seok, Kai, and others, often playing dual roles across past and present. These new works highlight Korean cultural themes, folklore, and inventive cross-era staging, offering diverse productions from intimate operas to large-scale musical spectacles.
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