Seoul: Since its 2014 premiere in Seoul, the Korean original musical "Frankenstein" has captivated audiences by adapting the core narrative of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus," while introducing significant new details and character dynamics. Written and directed by Wang Yong-beom, the musical has earned acclaim for its narrative, orchestral score, and visuals.
According to Yonhap News Agency, set in 19th-century Europe, the musical's story follows Victor Frankenstein (Cho Kyu-hyun), a scientist obsessed with creating an immortal soldier. In this version, Victor is portrayed as a more traumatized figure, whose childhood interest in recreating life intensifies into a dangerous obsession after he fails to resurrect his own mother.
In a departure from the novel, Victor creates his monster not from anonymous bodies, but from the head of his best friend and research partner, Henri (Park Eun-tae). After Victor accidentally commits a murder, the loyal Henri takes the blame to protect his friend's research and is executed. Victor then uses Henri's severed head to complete his experiment, resulting in a monster that bears his friend's face but lacks language or a moral compass.
Another feature of the musical is its use of dual roles, with lead actors playing two different characters. According to director Wang, this conveys the message that human societies, regardless of time or place, are often similar.
Garnering both critical and commercial success, "Frankenstein" has been revived regularly, cementing its place as a landmark Korean musical, alongside hits like "The Last Empress" and "The Man Who Laughs." Its influences also extend internationally, with a licensed Japanese production that premiered in Tokyo in 2017.
Production company EMK spent a year turning a live performance from the musical's 10th anniversary into a feature film, "Frankenstein: The Musical Live." The project is part of the company's effort to broaden the genre's audience and aligns with a trend of bringing live stage productions to the big screen.
Given musicals face perceived barriers for newcomers, from high ticket prices to the challenge of understanding lyrics, these cinematic versions serve as an introduction by combining the raw energy of the stage with the intimacy of the big screen.
The "Frankenstein" film illustrates the power of this format. It delivers actors' detailed facial expressions in close-ups, while ensuring the lyrics are clear and subtitled on screen.
Existing fans of the musical will also appreciate the cinematic version, as the camera work reveals subtle performance nuances, offering a more intimate perspective on performances they already love.
To preserve the authentic feel of the live show, audience applause is included in the 179-minute film, which is presented with one intermission. "Frankenstein: The Musical Live" is set for release next Thursday.