REVIEW Will musical 'Frankenstein' live up to its decade-long acclaim?
A scene from "Frankenstein," a Korean musical which runs until Aug. 25 at Bluesquare Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company
A decade since captivating Korean audiences with its dazzling 2014 premiere, the musical "Frankenstein" is back with a star-studded cast, aiming to build on its past success.
"Frankenstein," one of Korea's most successful homegrown musicals, is based on Mary Shelley's 1818 gothic novel. The story follows Dr. Victor Frankenstein, who defies the realm of god with his creation: the monster he brings to life.
Since its 2014 premiere, "Frankenstein" has captivated many musical enthusiasts, winning a whopping nine awards at the Korea Musical Awards in its debut year. The production also made history in 2016 as the first Korean musical to be exported to Japan through a deal with Toho Studios.
Now, for its 10th anniversary, the musical is back with an even more prestigious cast. The lead role of Dr. Frankenstein, a mad scientist eager to defy the laws of life and death, is portrayed by renowned actors Yoo Jun-sang, Shin Sung-rok, Kyuhyun of Super Junior and Jeon Dong-suk.
Joining them as Henry Dupre — Frankenstein's friend bound for a monstrous fate — are actors Park Eun-tae, Kai, Lee Hae-jun and Ko Eun-sung.
A scene from "Frankenstein," a Korean musical which runs until Aug. 25 at Bluesquare Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company
The show is directed by Wang Yong-bum, known for his works "Jack the Ripper," "Ben-Hur" and "Beethoven Secret," along with composer and music director Brandon Lee.
Last Friday's show, featured actors Kyuhyun and Park onstage, with their exceptional vocal performances living up to the show's 10th-anniversary reputation.
Kyuhyun impressed the crowd with his vocal talent, effortlessly shedding his previous image as a K-pop band member. Particularly notable was his portrayal of a man's sorrows upon losing his beloved family member to the Monster's scheme, which even led some members of the audience to actual tears.
Park's interpretation of Dupre was equally noteworthy as he evolved from a diligent, loyal friend-assistant to a revenge-driven Monster. His clear, high notes and heartfelt expressions showcased his deep understanding of the character.
A scene from "Frankenstein," a Korean musical which runs until Aug. 25 at Bluesquare Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company
However, despite its stellar cast, questions persisted over whether the production's overall quality matches its acclaim.
For some viewers, particularly those unfamiliar with the musical, the storyline seemed disjointed. The show, having diverged significantly from the original novel, failed to provide sufficient context, leaving newcomers often puzzled.
What distinguishes this adaptation is the unique twist on Frankenstein’s Monster. Unlike traditional versions where the Monster is assembled from anonymous corpses, here, the Monster includes the head of Frankenstein’s friend Dupre. However, it is clear that the Monster is not Dupre himself, and this twist deepens the already complex relationship between Frankenstein and his creation.
In a pivotal scene, for example, a child lost in the woods encounters Dupre as the Monster, who initially offers comfort and shares a story of creating life. However, the moment takes an abrupt turn when Dupre shoves the child into the water out of the blue, claiming that the child will "also act 'human' when he grows up."
This scene perplexes viewers who had sympathized with the abandoned Monster, now causing harm to an innocent child. While there is still room for interpretation, especially considering that the actor playing the child had previously portrayed young Frankenstein, it remains a challenging aspect for first-time viewers to fully grasp.
A scene from "Frankenstein," a Korean musical which runs until Aug. 25 at Bluesquare Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul / Courtesy of EMK Musical Company
Moreover, it was hard to overlook that several numbers in the play were overly similar. As the performance progressed, most numbers followed a pattern of high-pitched, dramatic endings to elicit applause from the audience. While the actors' vocal prowess deserved recognition, the repetition of such structured numbers turned into a flaw.
Despite these criticisms, "Frankenstein" continues to attract musical lovers, maintaining deserved popularity with its stellar cast.
This production runs until Aug. 25 at Bluesquare Shinhan Card Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul.