By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
The blockbuster musical "Hero" has brought Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun back to life through stage arts.
With a production cost of around five billion won, the much-anticipated show dramatically portrays the major incidents involving Ahn that occurred between January 1909 and March 1910.
The musical, which is being presented by A-Com International, was designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Ahn's assassination of Japan's first Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi, on a railway platform in Harbin, Manchuria, on Oct. 26, 1909.
Since opening on Oct. 26, the show has become the talk of the town for its timely portrayal of the national hero and its innovative set designs. It seems poised to match the success of "The Last Empress," which was produced by the same company.
"Hero," which is produced by Yun Ho-jin, begins with the sound of a gun firing while the title of the musical is featured prominently on an onstage video screen.
The first segment of the musical introduces the main characters, including Seol-hee, the last court lady; Ling Ling, a Chinese woman who falls in love with Ahn; her brother Wang Wei, and Ito.
Seol-hee, a court lady who served Empress Myeongseong, is a fictional character who serves as a spy for an intelligence agency established by Emperor Gojong to observe Japan's movements.
After disguising herself as a geisha to approach Ito, she provides Ahn with important information. She appears cold-hearted but is deeply patriotic. Seol-hee makes her own attempt to assassinate Ito, but is unsuccessful.
Wang Wei, who runs a restaurant in Russia's Vladivostok and supports the independence army, and his younger sister Ling Ling, who harbors a crush on Ahn, are other fictional characters that attempt to add dramatic elements to the story. But they are superficially dealt with and at times detract from the storyline.
After hearing that Ito will arrive at Harbin Station, Ahn and his colleagues begin to make their move. Through the use of audio and video effects and a large train that comes on stage, Ito's arrival is rendered in a dramatic fashion.
The musical noticeably depicts Ito as a leader who is committed to his nation. The most impressive scene in the show is when Ahn and Ito sing "Destiny" together, as it was the same destiny that led them both to death ― one fighting for Joseon's independence and the other for the prosperity of Japan.
Ahn's theory for peace in East Asia is also highlighted in the musical. In prison, he writes about his vision for a pan-Asian peace in which China, Korea and Japan could work in unison to counter and fight off the "White Peril" ― European countries engaged in colonialism ― and restore peace to the region.
Musical numbers such as "Jangbuga (Men's Song)," "Pledging for the Day," and "Destiny" are catchy and haunting and the innovative stage sets are impressive.
The attempt to depict Ahn as an international figure who not only fought for Korea's independence but also for peace in Asia was fresh and impassioned. But the interaction between the fictional characters is weak and the equal emphasis given to Ito and Ahn detracts from the identity of the musical.
"Hero" runs through Dec. 31 at LG Arts Center. Tickets cost from 40,000 to 110,000 won.