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| Actors perform a scene from the original musical "Shanghai 1932-34" at Dongguk University Lee Haerang Art Theater, Thursday. / Yonhap |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The new musical "Shanghai 1932-34," based on the life of the ethnically Korean Chinese actor Jin Yan during China's golden age of cinema, is being staged to mark the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations.
Also intended to commemorate the 90th anniversary of independence activist Yun Bong-gil's death, the original musical tells the story of Jin, a Korean who fled to China with his family to escape Japan's brutal repression, and Chinese musician Nie Er, who composed the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
The aspiring actor and composer both struggle with the reality of pursuing their artistic dreams in Shanghai. After witnessing Korean independence hero Yun's patriotic bombing attack on Japanese colonial officials in Shanghai in 1932, Jin and Nie join the movement to fight imperial Japan. It is coproduced by Seoul Arts Center and Human B troupe.
The musical showcases the fighting spirit of Korean and Chinese revolutionaries who dedicated their youth and lives to defending their countries, and their friendship.
Yoo In-taek, president of the Seoul Arts Center, said the musical was originally intended for performance in China, but the plan was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We began this project nearly two years ago. We hope to visit Shanghai, the musical setting, and Kunming, Nie's hometown, to perform 'Shanghai 1932-34' on stage and promote cultural exchanges between the two countries. I hope the audiences remember how Korean and Chinese youth fought shoulder to shoulder in the 1930s," he said.
Artistic director Kook Min-sung explained she wanted to depict the death-defying memoir of friendship.
"It shows how friendship based on shared beliefs and values can have an impact on society. I wrote the musical to depict heroic struggles and exemplary revolutionary traits which everyone should learn from," she said.
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| Actors perform a scene from the original musical "Shanghai 1932-34" at Dongguk University Lee Haerang Art Theater, Thursday. / Yonhap |
Director Lee Sung-gu shared that he tried to add cinematic elements to the theatrical narrative by projecting actors on screens.
"In our musical, about 10 actors play 80 different characters. That gives everyone, even actors with small roles, a big stage presence. We brought cinematic techniques to live performance, combining them with strong visual elements and music," he said.
Actor Baek Seung-ryul, who plays the role of Jin, said he tried to show Jin's rise to success and his love for cinema and patriotic feats. "I focused on expressing Jin's spirit of defending the country to put an end to Japanese repression and his fondness for his friend Nie, he said.
Ahn Tae-joon, who portrays Nie, said he paid a lot of attention to the musical talent of a gifted composer. "I studied the personalities and habits of genius musicians and tried to express Nie's sensitive side," he said.
"Shanghai 1932-34" will run through April 30 at Dongguk University Lee Haerang Art Theater.
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