Modern poets inspire musical theater
A scene from the musical "Smoke," inspired by Yi Sang's poem "Ogamdo #15" / Courtesy of Double K Film & Theater
By Kwon Mee-yoo
On Joo-wan as as poet Yun Dong-ju in the musical “Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon” / Courtesy of Seoul Performing Arts Company
When Korea was under Japanese colonial rule (1910-1945), writers expressed their agony over the tragedy of the time and Korean modern literature cannot be explained without an understanding of that era. The spirit of poets who lived through those dark times has inspired modern-day playwrights and musicals centering on the modern poets.
Last year, poems of North Korean poet Baek Seok (1912-1996) were revived in the musical "Me, Natasha and a White Donkey." Inspired by a woman who loved the poet all her life, the musical beautifully sets Baek's poems to music as if reading a collection of poems. The show was well received by audiences and won the Best Musical, Best Script and Lyrics and Best Direction at the first Korea Musical Awards in January.
Following the boom is “Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon” and “Smoke,” revolving around Yun Dong-ju (1917-1945) and Yi Sang (1910-1937), respectively.
"Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon," produced by the Seoul Performing Arts Company, portrays the poet's agony and literature through music and dance. It revolves around Yun's life from his days at the Yeonhui Technical School, now Yonsei University, to his later days while studying in Japan.
Instead of employing Yun's poems as lyrics, the musical features original songs and the poems are recited by the actors in their lines.
Kwon Ho-seong, director of "Yun Dong-ju," said it is a coincidence that some musicals are based on the lives of modern Korean poets, but there might be a thirst for literature.
"Poets go through contemplation to write a poem. These poets are ahead of our time, but their poems still resonate within us. I think these poets remind us of what we have forgotten," Kwon said. "Yun's poems survived miraculously and his poems reflect the era in an emotional yet transparent way. It gives us a lot to think about."
“Yun Dong-ju Shoots the Moon” runs through Sunday at CJ Towol Theater of the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. English subtitles are provided. For more information, visit
or call 02-523-0984.
Yi Sang reinterpreted in 'Smoke'
While "Yun Dong-ju" reenacts the time, background and the atmosphere faithfully, another show "Smoke" focuses more on the inner conflicts of poet Yi.
Yi is known for his avant-garde works which were not well-received during his lifetime. "Smoke" was inspired by "Ogamdo No. 15" (Crow's Eye View No. 15), a cryptic poem with a mirror motif.
The musical has three characters ― Hae, a boy who dreams of the sea; Cho, a poet; and Hong, a woman kidnapped by Hong and Cho ― and unravels the mysterious relations between the three.
Actress-turned-playwright Choo Jung-hwa, who also directed the musical, said Yi's works have a literary value transcending time. "Yi's works are not easy to understand even now. However, he pursued his own way despite ignorance and criticism. His life could inspire and console modern people who live through pain," Choo said.
“Smoke” runs through May 28 at Uniplex in Daehangno, Seoul. For more information, visit ticket.interpark.com or call 02-2638-2872.