Kim Yeonsu's Novel 'Wonderboy' Adapted into Original Musical... Opening Next Month

Seoul Municipal Musical Theater to Perform as Sejong Center Sync Next Season Production
August 19-27, Sejong Center S Theater

Sejong Center announced on the 4th that the musical "Wonder Boy," based on the novel of the same name by author Kim Yeon-su, will be performed from August 19 to 27 at the Sejong Center S Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Sejong Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Sejong Center for the Performing Arts announced on the 4th that the musical "Wonder Boy," based on the novel of the same name by writer Kim Yeonsu, will be performed from August 19 to 27 at the S Theater in Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

This work is one of the season productions of Sejong Center's "Sync Next 22."

The original novel tells the story of our past through the growth of a teenage boy who gains superpowers after an accident, portraying characters with wounds. It was serialized in the youth literary magazine "Foot" from spring 2008 to summer 2009 and published as a full-length novel in 2012.

Kim Deokhee, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Company, explained, "Although it is a story about Wonder Boy who has superpowers, ironically, the boy grows by losing his superpowers and gaining other values. This work is also a performance for adults who have lost their superpowers."

The stage features an ensemble performance by members of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Company and guest actors. Kim Beomjun, a member of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Company, and Lee Hwijeong, who appeared in the play "Mouse Piece" and JTBC drama "Law School," were cast as Junghoon, Wonder Boy who lost his father in an unfortunate accident and gained superpowers.

The role of Gangto, who cannot forget his lover who became a victim of the times, is played by Park Ranju, who appeared in "Spring Awakening" and "Showman," and Lee Hyeran of the Seoul Metropolitan Musical Company, who played leading roles in "Little Women" and "Fiddler on the Roof."

Kim Jicheol appears as Suhyeong, a genius with extraordinary memorization skills but who faces an unfair fate. Lee Seungjae plays Jaesik, who helps Junghoon find his mother, Go Junsik plays Kwon Daeryeong, who tries to use Junghoon after he wakes from a coma, and the twins with superpowers are cast as Jung Eunyeong and Lee Jeongmin, respectively.

The production team includes writer Seong Jaehyun, known for musicals such as "The Moon and Sixpence" and "The Little Prince," composer Park Yunsol, who gained attention for musicals like "Pan" and "Thank You Very Strawberry," and director Park Junyoung of the musical "Next to Normal," who have united as the creative team.

The musical "Wonder Boy" started from the trust of director Kim Deokhee, who previously produced Kim Yeonsu's novel "Goodbye, Yi Sang" as a creative musical at the Seoul Arts Troupe, which sold out all seats during its premiere. After about eight months of incubation, the work was completed as a 70-minute reading performance and first met the audience through the first development process as part of the 8th directing project of the Korea National University of Arts Musical Academy last August.

Director Park Junyoung said, "We went through an active adaptation process to dramatically highlight the boy's growth. We aim to express the emotions swirling inside the boy's heart through the language of music."

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