Four Works Selected for DIMF Creative Support... Featuring Stories of Kallo, Saint-Exup?ry, and Independence Fighters

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] The Daegu International Musical Festival (DIMF) has completed the application and judging process for the 'DIMF Creation Support Project' and announced the selection of four new musicals that will premiere during the festival with DIMF's support.

The four works are 'Viva la Vida', 'San Hong', 'Bomb explosion at banquet', and 'Saint Exupery'.

'Viva la Vida' tells the story of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who sublimated her painful life into paintings. It is a monodrama-style musical in which Kahlo awakens again at the point of death and reflects on her life.

'San Hong' centers on 'San Hong', a female entertainer of the Suwon Kwonbeop who helps her younger brother's independence movement during the Japanese colonial period, depicting the stories of women participating in the independence movement.

'Bomb explosion at banquet' is a period piece connected to the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement (2019), focusing on the female independence fighter 'Yoon'. After the failure of an assassination operation against a traitor and the capture of her brother 'Hwan', Yoon takes independent action to make up for her mistake and save her brother. The playboy 'Jaehwi', who was initially uninterested in the independence army, eventually joins Yoon after various twists and turns. 'Bomb explosion at banquet' was developed through a reading performance and showcase at the Chungmu Art Center Musical Academy.

'Saint Exupery' is a children's play that reinterprets the life of 'Saint Exupery', the author of the world-renowned classic 'The Little Prince', from a new perspective. It interestingly reveals the backstory of 'The Little Prince' and the hidden aspects behind the work. The play is structured to be enjoyed by the whole family, with a narrative that moves between reality and fantasy. 'Saint Exupery' is a work by graduates of the 'DIMF Musical Academy' for musical experts (written by Son Sumin / music by Jin Juback).

Performance scene of 'YOU&IT,' which won the Creative Musical Award as the 2019 13th DIMF Creative Support Work. [Photo by Daegu International Musical Festival]

The DIMF 'Creation Support Project' began with the first DIMF in 2007 to revitalize domestic original musicals. As the main program best representing DIMF's vision of promoting Korean original musicals and developing the musical industry, it has supported the premieres of a total of 58 new musicals over the past 13 years, establishing itself as a leading incubator for original musicals in Korea.

A total of 49 original musicals applied for the '14th DIMF Creation Support Project', and after script and music evaluations by a professional judging panel, four final works were selected.

The judging panel stated, "Compared to previous years, many works with a more sophisticated plot development were submitted, and not only the four selected works but the overall quality of the submissions has improved. It is also encouraging that the genres are diverse, including drama, romance, historical pieces, thrillers, and children's plays, and that works addressing social issues such as nuclear power plant accidents and hikikomori have appeared, broadening the range of topics."

The four selected works will undergo live performance judging during the festival, and the winner of the 'Creation Musical Award' will be announced at the 'DIMF Awards'. The winning work will be invited as an official DIMF invited production next year, providing an opportunity for a rerun performance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.