From flat-screen to stage

“The Moon Embracing the Sun,’’ the MBC period piece that was most-watched drama of 2012, is the latest television product to be adapted as a musical. / Korea Times

'Moon Embracing the Sun' ― the musical ― awaits the verdict of theatergoers

By Kwon Mee-yoo

A musical based on “The Moon Embracing the Sun,’’ an MBC television period piece that was Korea’s most-watched drama in 2012, is attempting to duplicate the success of the original.

The plot revolves around a difficult love story between Lee Hwon, a fictional king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), and court lady Heo Yeon-woo. Adapted from the 2005 novel by Jung Eun-gwol, the series hit an astronomical 40 percent in viewer ratings and elevated Kim Su-hyun, who played Lee Hwon, to an A-list actor.

So the musical, staged at the CJ Towol Theater at the Seoul Arts Center, is certainly facing hefty expectations. Previous television-to-stage adaptations like “Jewel in Palace’’ and “Lovers in Paris’’ were commercial letdowns ― and that was when the market for musicals was booming.

Jung Tae-young, director of the musical version of “The Moon,’’ said the focus was on a creating a fast-moving show and to avoid being a one-dimensional melodrama, which would be a fair description of previous drama-turned-musicals.

There are more than 70 scene changes in “The Moon’’ and the visual effects are stunning. Through the changes, however, the basic concept of the main stage, which resembles traditional Korean patchwork designs, remains the same, symbolizing the relationship between the two main characters.

“It was important to attract the audience visually, as well as with the music. The television drama was a feast for the eyes and the musical version can’t afford to look dull in comparison,’’ Jung said.

The story revolves around Lee Hwon and Yeon-woo, who was designated to marry the crown prince, but loses her memory after being attacked by black magic. The two meet again eight years later, but Yeon-woo fails to remember the king.

Transforming a successful television series into musical theater might seem to be a safe investment, but it rarely is. Those who buy the tickets are likely to have seen the drama or be knowledgeable about the plot. Compressing a 20-part series into a three-hour performance without disappointing these theatergoers is a difficult challenge.

The musical version of “The Moon’’ has it flaws. Those who didn’t watch the drama may find it hard to understand how Lee Hwon and Yeon-woo got separated and how in the world of black magic got involved.

“The Moon Embracing the Sun’’ runs through July 31. Tickets cost from 60,000 to 100,000 won. For more information, visit facebook.com/musicalsunNmoon or call 1588-5212.