ReviewABBA anthems, heartwarming story keep musical 'Mamma Mia!' thriving in Seoul
From left are actor Hong Ji-min as Tanya, Choi Jung-won as Donna, and Park Joon-myeon as Rosie in a scene from the musical "Mamma Mia!," now running at LG Art Center Seoul. Courtesy of Seensee Company
More than two decades after its West End debut, the smash-hit musical "Mamma Mia!" is still packing theaters in Seoul with audiences enjoying the sounds of ABBA's greatest hits. Its current run at LG Art Center Seoul shows that the mix of nostalgia, humor and heart can still move audiences to their feet — even if the production may have begun to show the slightest signs of aging.
First premiering in London in 1999, "Mamma Mia!" has since been staged worldwide, including a long run on Broadway. Its Korean rendition opened back in 2004 at the Seoul Arts Center and surpassed 2 million cumulative viewers by 2019.
Built around the legendary Swedish pop group's anthems, the musical follows Donna, an independent single mother running a small hotel on a Greek island, and her daughter Sophie, who is preparing to marry her boyfriend at the young age of 20.
The plot unfolds as Sophie finds Donna's old diary, then proceeds to invite three men from her mother's past — each of whom might be her father — to the wedding, hoping to learn the truth about her parentage. What follows is a lighthearted yet touching story of self-discovery, family bonds and rekindled romance, all tied together by great music.
The enduring appeal in Korea is easy to see. The plot is straightforward, the music instantly recognizable and the themes of love and family resonate across generations.
That formula has made "Mamma Mia!" a favorite among Korea's middle-aged theatergoers in particular — a demographic with the spending power to keep ticket sales strong.
Choi Jung-won, center, plays Donna in a scene from the musical "Mamma Mia!" at LG Art Center Seoul. Courtesy of Seensee Company
Sunday’s matinee featured a cast of longtime Korean performers, drawing a noticeable number of families to the theater. The casting created a balance between youth and experience, with Choi Jung-won playing Donna, a role she has played for 20 years, and Luna of f(x) as Sophie, a character on the cusp of adulthood, resulting in a dynamic that connected warmly with audiences of all ages.
Still, after more than two decades on stage, the production could benefit from subtle updates to its pacing and musical arrangements.
Many of the show's biggest crowd-pleasers like "Dancing Queen," "I Have a Dream," "Honey Honey," "Super Trouper" and "Mamma Mia!" are stacked into the first act. By comparison, the middle of the second act slows noticeably, causing the energy to dip and the story to feel slightly drawn out.
The finale, however, quickly restores the excitement. As the encore numbers "Mamma Mia," "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo" hit in rapid succession, the audience visibly shifted from passive watching to active celebration.
Everyone in the theater, including more reserved middle-aged attendees stood up, cheered and danced along during the curtain call, creating an atmosphere rarely seen in Korea's typically restrained theater culture.
From left are actor Lee Hyun-woo as Harry, Kim Jung-min as Sam and Song Il-kook as Bill in a scene from the musical "Mamma Mia!," currently running at LG Art Center Seoul. Courtesy of Seensee Company
Minor technical issues also distracted from Sunday's performance. The sound level in the first half was lower than expected, muting the immersive quality essential to "Mamma Mia!" The inconsistency became more noticeable at the start of the second act, when a sudden surge from the band startled the crowd, eliciting audible exclamations.
Despite some flaws, it was the live renditions of beloved songs that brought undeniable joy to the stage.
The cast's impeccable vocals carried the material with warmth and energy, ensuring the audience left in high spirits. With no heavy-handed themes or complicated staging, "Mamma Mia!" easily proves its status as one of the most approachable and satisfying musicals for theater newcomers.
"Mamma Mia!" runs through Oct. 25 at the LG Arts Center in western Seoul.