[On Stage] Two Witches Return After 5 Years... Musical 'Wicked'

Through the Contrast of Elphaba and Glinda, Dichotomous Values Revealed
They Are Drawn to Each Other by Acknowledging Their Own 'Differences'

Ok Joo-hyun (right), who played Elphaba in the musical 'Wicked,' and Seo Kyung-soo, who portrayed Pierrot

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The representative numbers of the musical Wicked, "Defying Gravity" and "For Good," both include the word "gravity" in their lyrics. However, the symbolism of gravity in these two numbers differs. The former represents the trials that the protagonist Elphaba must overcome. Meanwhile, the latter signifies the bond of friendship between Elphaba and the other protagonist, Glinda. Throughout Wicked, these two narratives about gravity overlap and unfold simultaneously.

Wicked is a musical adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name by American author Gregory Maguire. Its world is derived from the novel The Wizard of Oz by American children's author L. Frank Baum (1856?1919). The story focuses on two witches who met and formed a friendship before Dorothy arrived in Oz. The musical premiered in Korea in 2013, was revived in 2016, and has returned again this year.

Elphaba was born with green skin. Due to her unusual appearance, she is constantly ridiculed at Shiz University in Oz. In contrast, Glinda, with her fair skin and beautiful looks, receives all the love and attention around her. Wicked contrasts Glinda and Elphaba in this way, clearly highlighting dichotomous values such as beauty versus ugliness and good versus evil. It continuously questions the audience about the origins of these values and whether any hierarchy truly exists.

In the musical 'Wicked,' Elphaba (Ok Joo-hyun) passionately sings 'Defying Gravity.'

At the beginning of the play, Professor Dilamond, a goat, appears as a key figure at Shiz University. As the only animal professor at the university, he laments, "The diversity at school is disappearing." In the past, leopards solved math problems and goats discussed philosophy. But all of them have left because the university silenced their voices. Now, even students mockingly write on the blackboard, "Animals are just spectacles. Shut your mouths." This setting is interpreted as a critique of the prevalent distinctions in modern society between humans and non-humans, normal and abnormal, while satirizing the homogenized education system of the university.

"Professor Dilamond represents a being who can teach good without pursuing profit. The fact that animals speak symbolizes this. But they are losing their voices. There are political movements that annihilate those who can speak the truth in the world. Such heavy messages are embedded within the play," said Ok Joo-hyun, who plays Elphaba, in a recent interview.

There is also a scene criticizing the media during Elphaba's transformation into an evil witch. Dean Morrible of Shiz University, impressed by Elphaba's exceptional magical abilities, leads her to Emerald City, promising to introduce her to wizards. The real purpose is to use Elphaba's powers to monitor politically subversive elements in the town.

When Elphaba refuses, Dean Morrible, who is also the town's Minister of Media, declares to the citizens that Elphaba is a wicked witch and an untrustworthy figure. However, as known from The Wizard of Oz, Elphaba was not an evil witch but a righteous girl who was hunted as a witch through media propaganda.

Ok Joo-hyun (right), who played Elphaba in the musical 'Wicked,' and Jung Sun-ah, who portrayed Glinda.

Glinda is Elphaba's only friend. Although she seems full of vanity and jealousy, she is not unlikeable. Even when her lover Pierrot betrays her and goes to Elphaba, she does not abandon their friendship. She is a cool and optimistic realist, somewhat distant from traditional Eastern sentiments.

Elphaba's courage to confront absurdity may also be thanks to Glinda. Elphaba's timid personality at the beginning of the play gradually becomes confident. This change begins when she starts sharing a room with Glinda. Glinda has always been by Elphaba's side during various crises?when Elphaba was bullied at school, when she left for Emerald City, and when she was disgraced and fled the town.

The mutual attraction between Glinda and Elphaba may stem from their acceptance of each other's "differences." They do not exclude but embrace one another. Through this, they gain unprecedented strength and grow.

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