ReviewHow musical 'Frida' turns legendary artist's pain into riveting farewell performance

Actor Kim Hieora plays Mexican artist Frida Kahlo during a press call of the musical "Frida: The Last Night Show" at Nol Uniplex in central Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

If you were standing at the edge of life's final curtain with just one last chance to host a show of your lifetime, what story would you choose to tell and how would you like to be remembered?

The Korean musical "Frida: The Last Night Show," which opened at Nol Uniplex in central Seoul on June 17, answers this haunting question with theatrical flair and emotional precision.

Framed as a fictional talk show titled "The Last Night Show," the musical stages the final moments of legendary Mexican artist Frida Kahlo (1907-54), who revisits her turbulent life alongside three fictional personas — Reflejar, Destino and Memoria — in a meta-theatrical performance that is as imaginative as it is affecting.

The Mexican artist herself, the inspiration behind the production, led a life riddled with pain.

At age 6, polio left one of her legs impaired, and at 18, a catastrophic traffic accident crushed her spine, nearly killing her. Her injuries would never fully heal, and her attempts at motherhood ended in tragedy due to lasting internal injuries. Her husband, muralist Diego Rivera, was notorious for his affairs, compounding her suffering further.

But "Frida," now in its third run since its 2022 premiere, stays away from merely dwelling in the artist's despair.

A scene from the musical "Frida: The Last Night Show" / Yonhap

Instead, it transforms Kahlo's anguish into a self-reflective talk show where the three symbolic, fictional hosts guide her through her own memories, taking on different roles to portray various people from the artist's life.

What makes "Frida" even more special for the artist is that the show driven by a team of women. All four characters onstage are portrayed by women, alongside guidance from writer and director Choo Jung-hwa — a resonant choice for telling the story of a brave woman who turned her wounds into art.

The role of Frida Kahlo is shared by actors Kim So-hyang, Kim Ji-woo and "The Glory" star Kim Hieora. The hosts are brought to life by Jeon Soo-mi, Jang Eun-ah and dancer Aiki as Reflejar; Lee Areumsol, Lee Ji-yeon and Park Sun-young as Destino; and Park Si-in, Heo Yoon-seul and K-pop band WJSN's singer Yoo Yeon-jung as Memoria.

Despite the relatively small venue compared to the biggest musical productions, the show burst to life the moment the curtain rose at Wednesday's performance.

With Kahlo being played by Kim Hieora, the performance that day was marked by a careful balance — never too heavy, but never lighthearted — allowing the audience to both empathize with and celebrate the artist's resilience.

Following a hiatus after facing backlash over past school bullying allegations in the wake of her breakout role in "The Glory," Kim Hieora returns to the spotlight through this show — channeling a form of redemption through the suffering and resilience of Kahlo.

A scene from the musical "Frida: The Last Night Show" / Yonhap

The four women onstage, often just steps from the front row, improvised with ease, drawing applause and laughter through witty banter and bold audience engagement.

The set was sparse — a bed, a standing mic and a movable staircase — but used cleverly. A large backdrop prop framing the stage lit up with projections of Kahlo's artwork, adding layers of visual texture.

Lighting heightened the emotional shifts, and the actors' presence was what did the rest. Monologues, delivered in focused solitude, pulled the audience deep into Kahlo's thoughts without tipping into melodrama. The actors' expressions, fierce movements and powerful vocals filled the space, making Kahlo's anguish and defiance feel close enough to touch.

"Frida" runs through Sept. 7.