Turning Imagination into Reality: Jang Yeong-sil on the Musical Stage
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
EMK’s musical adaptation of the novel 'The Man in Hanbok' showcases the producer’s signature large scale and visual polish. The show reimagines the little-known Joseon-era scientist Jang Yeong-sil in old age as a fantastical figure who travels to Florence, inspires a young Leonardo da Vinci, and embodies an idealistic dreamer who studies the stars and longs to fly. The production centers Jang’s life around his relationship with King Sejong, portraying him as an awakened figure resisting rigid social hierarchies. Spectacular court scenes feature ornate hanbok (traditional Korean clothing) and expansive ensemble choreography, while standout musical moments like the “bicha” (glider) number and the final “bicha surprise” emphasize freedom and aspiration. Critics note the show’s ambition sometimes leads to narrative clutter and repetitive threads that could benefit from pruning. Overall, the musical demonstrates the genre’s power to stage imagination and collective longing, inviting audiences to see themselves in Jang’s dream of transcending oppression.
