“Be Who You Are” — Kinky Boots Brings Unstoppable Energy to Seoul
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Kinky Boots is a high-energy musical now playing at the Charlotte Theatre in Seoul through March 29. With driving 1980s-style pop beats and Cynthia Lauper’s (Cyndi Lauper) infectious songs, the show champions the message “Be who you are” through dance and powerful performances. The plot follows Charlie, who inherits his family’s failing Northampton shoe factory and partners with Lola, a drag performer (여장가수), to design sturdy, glamorous high heels called “Kinky Boots.” The production explores identity, acceptance, and respect as conservative factory workers and Lola learn to understand one another. Standout elements include the charismatic Lola—cast this season as Kang Hong-seok, Baek Hyung-hoon, and Seo Kyung-soo—and the six “Angels,” a troupe of male dancers who perform daring high-heel choreography. The show is a Korean-produced staging of the 2013 Broadway hit that won Tony and Olivier awards, and its combination of bold songs, colorful characters, and exhilarating choreography makes it a must-see musical experience.
